Attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants on ships in the Red Sea have already rocked global trade. And there could be more disruptions, and price increases, in store for shipments of goods and fuel.

Several major shipping lines and oil transporters have suspended their services through the Red Sea as more than a dozen vessels have come under attack since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in early October.

Now the shipping industry — and the world — are waiting to see how the United States will respond. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to weigh in Tuesday with more specifics on the American strategy, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters Monday.

MSC, Maersk, Hapag Lloyd, CMA CGM, Yang Ming Marine Transport and Evergreen have all said they will be diverting all scheduled journeys immediately to secure the safety of their seafarers and vessels. Collectively, these ocean carriers represent around 60% of global trade.

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Israel's military has been directed to "enhance readiness" to defend citizens as it says that Hezbollah is increasing its attacks at the country's border with Lebanon, according to IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus.

He described both Hezbollah’s attacks and the attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in the Red Seas as an “Iranian aggression” using regional proxies to escalate attacks on Israel.

There are also concerns, Conricus said, that Hezbollah might be planning a "full out war against Israel." Conricus did not provide evidence for the claim, citing concerns over intelligence assessments, but noted Hezbollah's weaponry and other military capabilities.

"We are closer today to war than we were yesterday," Conricus said during a briefing.

A number of Democratic lawmakers who served in the military and in the CIA say Israel’s tactics in the Gaza Strip are endangering efforts to defeat Hamas militants and called on President Joe Biden to use “all our leverage” to secure an immediate shift in Israel’s approach.

In a letter sent Monday to Biden, the House members said they were “deeply concerned” by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s current military strategy in Gaza.

“The mounting civilian death toll and humanitarian crisis are unacceptable and not in line with American interests; nor do they advance the cause of security for our ally, Israel,” the group wrote.

“We also believe it jeopardizes efforts to destroy the terrorist organization Hamas and secure the release of all hostages,” the letter said.

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PARIS — An employee for France's Foreign Ministry died after being injured in an Israeli bombing of a home in Rafah, southern Gaza, that killed 10 others last week, according to a statement from the ministry.

"He had taken refuge in the house of one of his colleagues from the French Consulate General, together with two other colleagues and many members of their families, among others," the statement said.

The employee was not identified by name, but the statement said he had been working for the country since 2022. The ministry extended its condolences to the family, adding, "We all mourn their loss." His family members were able to leave Gaza during evacuations under arrangements made by the ministry.

"France condemns this bombing of a residential building which killed many other civilians," the ministry said. "We demand that the Israeli authorities shed full light on the circumstances of this bombing as quickly as possible."

Hamas leaders said today during a news conference in Beirut that they will not negotiate hostage releases until Israel stops its attacks on Gaza.

But Hamas official Osama Hamdan also said the group was "open" to initiatives that come from Qatar and Egypt that are aimed at ending the war.

He accused Israel of wanting to make Gaza uninhabitable, but that Israel has failed because people remain, saying "an illusion of displacement is derived from the culture built by the occupying state."

The United Nations estimates 80% of the civilian population has been internally displaced and that at least half are starving.

Lt. Col. Peter Lerner said on MSNBC that the Israel Defense Forces have “a lot to learn” after becoming known that soldiers mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages who were reportedly screaming and holding a white flag.

"We do not shoot people with white flags … Even if they are people from Gaza," he said. "Even if they are Hamas terrorists that would have laid down their weapons and surrendered.”

The U.S. remains steadfast in its belief that Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas, Austin said today, but it is also looking to ensure the future stability for both Palestinians and Israelis in the region.

"I discussed pathways today toward a future for Gaza after Hamas based upon the clear principles laid down last month by my friend, Secretary Blinken, Israelis and Palestinians both deserve a horizon of hope," Austin said during a a joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The four-star general said that he reiterated the need to protect innocent Palestinian lives in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank, noting the uptick in settler violence against Palestinians. Austin said that the "ongoing instability and insecurity" only help Hamas, which it said committed an act of "pure evil" on Oct. 7.

"Hamas does not speak for the Palestinian people," Austin said. "And Hamas is determined to doom both Israelis and Palestinians to an unending cycle of suffering and strife."

More than 200 trucks of humanitarian aid were inspected and entered the Gaza Strip yesterday, Israel’s government spokesperson Tal Heinrich said.

Heinrich said in a daily briefing today that 122 trucks entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing and 79 trucks through the Kerem Shalom crossing that began operating yesterday.

He added that Israel could inspect more trucks in a day and it is international aid organizations and the U.N. “who should keep up with the pace.”

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for attacks on two ships, the Swan Atlantic and the MSC Clara, in the Red Sea, saying in a statement on Telegram that the vessels were targeted by seaplanes.

The owner of Swan Atlantic had told NBC News earlier that the ship had sustained “limited damage,” but that no injuries were reported and that the U.S. Navy had assisted the vessel.

The Iran-backed militia said it will “continue to prevent all ships heading to Israeli ports of any nationality from navigating in the Arabian and Red Seas until they bring in the food and medicine that our steadfast brothers in the Gaza Strip need.”