Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, raising fears of renewed conflict in the vital shipping corridor.

A Liberian-flagged cargo ship came under fire on Monday in the Red Sea, with two security guards on board reportedly hurt and two others missing in an assault that came after Yemen's Houthi rebels purportedly sunk another vessel in a similar attack.

Renewed clashes between Israel and Yemen’s Houthis, and Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, come amid talks over a potential ceasefire in Gaza.