Yemen’s Houthi rebels have declared their intention to free the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship they hijacked 14 months ago during a campaign of maritime attacks in support of Hamas amid the Israel-Gaza conflict. The announcement comes as part of a broader decision by the Iranian-backed group to scale back their military operations in light of the recent cease-fire in Gaza that took effect over the weekend.
The Galaxy Leader, which had been navigating the Red Sea under the Bahamian flag, was initially en route from Turkey to India when it was commandeered by the Houthis and taken to the Yemeni port of Al-Hudaydah. The vessel's crew consists of 25 members from various nations including the Philippines, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Mexico, and Romania. Official statements from Nasser Al-Din Amer, a senior Houthi figure, suggested that the crew would be released on Wednesday, with coordination from the leadership of Hamas and facilitated by Oman.
Reports indicate that the release's specifics haven't been independently verified, though Yemeni state-affiliated channels such as Al-Masirah supported the announcement. This decision marks a notable step following the audacious maritime seizure, which underscored the Houthis’ support for Hamas after their lethal assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, igniting renewed hostilities in Gaza.
As of now, tracking sources have reported that the cargo ship remains “stopped” in the Red Sea, illustrating the ongoing complexities surrounding international shipping routes in a region fraught with conflict. The developments hint at evolving dynamics, indicating how broader cease-fires and negotiations might influence localized conflicts and hostage situations in the Middle East.
