The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) advised shipping near Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman to exercise extreme caution. Its website is now declaring that “an incident is currently underway” in that location and warned of a possible hijacking.

At this moment, various sources have been cited as saying that the Panamanian flagged vessel Asphalt Princess may have been hijacked.

Early today five oil tankers in the region reported that they were “not under command.” This could mean that they lost power for some reason and could not steer their ships.

The five ships were the Queen Ematha, Golden Brilliant, Jag Poojam, Abyss-1 and the Kamdhenu.

This news comes a day after both the United States and Great Britain formally accused Iran of being behind last Thursday night’s attack on the vessel Mercer Street in the Gulf of Oman. That ship was hit by a drone killing two of her crew, including a British citizen.

Israeli Special Forces operating in the Palestinian Authority (PA) city of Jenin in Samaria on Monday night encountered fierce and violent resistance and engaged in a gun battle, in which several terrorists were shot.

Operating to “counter terrorism,” the police stated that its elite Yamam unit encountered massive gunfire, and terrorists throwing explosive devices, firebombs and rocks.

Deploying “advanced means and capabilities,” the Israeli forces returned fire at the terrorists.

Several of the terrorists were reportedly hit. Some reports say that at least six terrorists were shot, including some in serious condition.

There were no Israeli casualties, and minor damage was done to their armored vehicles.

Israeli forces operating in Jenin in recent weeks have repeatedly encountered a violent pushback by the local population, leading them to properly prepare for all scenarios and extremities before leaving on a counterterrorism mission in the city.

Arab Terrorists threw rocks at an Israeli bus and other vehicles driving between Yakir and Revava in Samaria on Sunday night, damaging the bus and injuring a woman.

The woman, who was injured in her eyes, was treated at the scene by a medical team, which evacuated her to Beilinson Hospital in light condition.

After first balking at blaming Iran, the British government has now said that it does believe the Iranians were behind a drone attack on an Israeli-owned tanker in the Gulf of Oman last week.

After a number of close calls in what has been an escalation between Iran, other Arab countries, and the State of Israel out on the high seas in recent years, this marked the first time that an attack caused fatalities.

On Thursday night, The Mercer Street, a Japanese-owned tanker flying a Liberian flag, was attacked by drones. One broke through the top of the oil tanker’s bridge killing two crew members, including a veteran of the British military. The ship is managed by London-based Zodiac Maritime, which is owned by the Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer.

The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab just released an official statement on the matter saying, “We believe this attack was deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law by Iran. UK assessments have concluded that it is highly likely that Iran attacked the MV Mercer Street in international waters off Oman on 29 July using one or more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.”

“The UK condemns the unlawful and callous attack committed on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman, which killed a British and a Romanian national. Our thoughts are with the friends and family of those killed in the incident,” added Raab.

Raab also went on to demand that, “Iran must end such attacks, and vessels must be allowed to navigate freely in accordance with international law. The UK is working with our international partners on a concerted response to this unacceptable attack.”

The Iranian government has denied any involvement in the attack. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh called the allegations that Iran was behind the drone baseless. He added that this is, “not the first time that the Zionist regime occupying Jerusalem has made such empty accusations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Wherever this regime has gone, it has taken instability, terror, and violence with it.”

Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had already accused the Iranians of being behind the attack. Earlier today he told the Israel cabinet that, “the world recently received a reminder of Iranian aggression, this time on the high seas. The Iranians, who attacked the ship ‘Mercer Street’ with unmanned aerial vehicles, intended to attack an Israeli target. Instead, their act of piracy led to the deaths of a British citizen and a Romanian citizen.”

“I determine, with absolute certainty – Iran carried out the attack against the ship. Iran’s thuggishness endangers not only Israel but also harms global interests, namely freedom of navigation and international trade,” declared Bennet.

“The intelligence evidence for this exists and we expect the international community will make it clear to the Iranian regime that they have made a serious mistake. In any case, we know how to send a message to Iran in our own way,” Bennet stated ominously.

Israel is celebrating the victory of the country’s mixed team in judo which won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.

Israel beat Russia 4:1 in the group event that was held for the first time this year, and 11 of its team members were awarded a medal.

President Yitzhak Herzog called the Israeli judo team on Saturday night and congratulated them on their achievement.

In his conversation with the team’s coach Oren Smadja, a former Olympic medalist, Herzog pointed out that these medals are the “closing of the exciting circle” with the team’s win, exactly 29 years after Smadja’s own winning of a bronze medal for judo at the Barcelona Olympics.

“What an honor! You brought a sweet and exciting victory. I know you worked very hard for this moment,” said Herzog.

“Judoka Sagi Muki said that ‘unity has won,'” the president added. “You brought the beautiful Israeli spirit of ‘Together’ to Tokyo. This is an important lesson for all of us – our strength is in our unity.”

“I am proud of you and the entire State of Israel is proud of you,” he concluded, adding that he is waiting for the entire Israeli delegation to return and be able to celebrate the victories together at the President’s House.

Afterward, the president also spoke with Hananel Cohen, the father of surfer Yoav Cohen, who finished the Olympic Men’s RS:X Windsurfing competition in fourth place after struggling and finishing just one point away from a medal.

Avishag Semberg’s taekwondo bronze medal in the women’s 49kg category last week was Israel’s first medal at the Tokyo 2021 games.