Group of 7 foreign ministers called Wednesday on Iran-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen to cease threats to international shipping and to release a vessel they seized earlier this month.

"Emphasizing the importance of maritime security, we call on all parties not to threaten or interfere with lawful exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by all vessels," a statement released by G7 chair Japan read.

"We especially call on the Houthis to immediately cease attacks on civilians and threats to international shipping lanes and commercial vessels and release the M/V Galaxy Leader and its crew, illegally seized from international waters on November 19," it added.

On 19 November, Huthis seized Israeli-linked cargo vessel the Galaxy Leader and its 25 international crew at the entrance to the Red Sea in support of Hamas' war with Israel.

Israeli ships are a "legitimate target," Yemen's Huthi rebels warned, opening a new dimension in the Israel-Hamas war.