Evergreen Line refuses Israeli cargo after Red Sea attacks

One of the world's largest shipping firms is refusing Israeli cargo after attacks on vessels sailing through the Red Sea.

Evergreen Line said the move was temporary but would come into effect immediately.

A number of freight companies have suspended their ships after being targeted by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

German transport firm Hapag-Lloyd is holding a crisis meeting on Monday to decide whether to restart travel.

The Red Sea is one the world's most important routes for oil and fuel shipments, as well as consumer goods.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels are targeting ships travelling through the Bab al-Mandab Strait - also known as the Gate of Tears - which is a channel 20 miles (32km) wide, and known for being perilous to navigate.

In an update seen by the BBC, Evergreen Line said that it would instruct its container ships to suspend journeys through the Red Sea "until further notice".

Iran-backed Houthi rebels have declared their support for Hamas and have said they are targeting ships travelling to Israel, using drones and rockets against foreign-owned vessels.

However, it is not clear if all the ships it has attacked were actually heading to Israel.

Maersk, the world's second-biggest shipping firm, described the situation as "alarming" on Friday after a "near-miss" incident involving Maersk Gibraltar and another attack on a container ship.

It was followed by Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world's largest shipping group, which said it would also divert its ships from the area.

Its container ship MSC PALATIUM III was attacked on Friday as it was transiting the Red Sea. There were no injuries to the crew, but the ship had been taken out of service.

Hapag-Lloyd and CMA-CGM have also stopped shipments through the region.

Additional reporting by Vivienne Nunis.