
The Galaxy Leader cargo ship surrounded by Houthi boats in the Red Sea, Nov. 20, 2023. (Credit: Stock photo Houthi Military Media/Handout via Reuters)
Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed Wednesday they have released the crew of the Galaxy Leader vessel, which had been detained for over a year after their capture of the ship, following the Gaza cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The Houthis' Supreme Political Council "announced the release of the Galaxy Leader crew, who were arrested on Nov. 19, 2023, as part of the campaign to support Gaza," the rebels' news agency Saba reported. This initiative comes "in support of the cease-fire agreement," which took effect Sunday in the Palestinian territory, it added.
The Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship chartered by a Japanese company on behalf of a British company owned by an Israeli businessman, was the first vessel targeted by the Houthis, who have since increased their attacks on ships off Yemen, claiming to act "in solidarity" with the Palestinians in the context of the Gaza war.
Its 25 crew members, including 17 Filipinos, had been held by the rebels, who control large parts of the territory and the capital Sanaa. They were released "in coordination with the Palestinian Hamas" and with the help of the Sultanate of Oman, according to Saba.