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Yemen's Houthis release crew of Galaxy Leader after over a year

Twenty-five nationals from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and Romania were handed over to Oman in coordination with Hamas
Captive crew members of the Israel-linked cargo vessel Galaxy Leader seized by Houthi fighters are gathered in the port city of Hodeidah, on 4 October 2024 (AFP)
Captive crew members of the Israel-linked cargo vessel Galaxy Leader, seized by Houthi fighters, are seen gathered in the port city of Hodeidah on 4 October 2024 (AFP)

The Houthis have released the crew of the Galaxy Leader 14 months after seizing the vessel off the western coast of Yemen, according to a media report on Wednesday. 

Al Masirah TV, which is run by the Houthi movement, known officially as Ansar Allah, reported that the crew members were handed over to neighbouring Oman "in coordination" with Hamas, following the Palestinian group's ceasefire deal with Israel, which came into effect on Sunday. 

The Bahamas-flagged vessel, chartered by Japan's Nippon Yusen, was seized by the Houthis on 19 November 2023 in the Red Sea off the coast of Hodeidah. 

The Houthis described the seizure and months of subsequent attacks targeting ships in the Red Sea as acts of resistance to support Palestinians in Gaza under Israeli bombardment.

Israeli officials said the Galaxy Leader is British-owned and Japanese-operated. However, public shipping databases link the vessel’s ownership to Ray Car Carriers, a company founded by Israeli tycoon Abraham "Rami" Ungar.

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The vessel's crew consisted of 25 nationals from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and Romania.

The seized cargo ship became a tourist attraction, with Yemenis travelling across the country to al-Salif, a coastal village near Hodeidah, to climb onboard. 

"When Israel began its war on Gaza, it might have been worried about the reactions of LebanonEgyptJordanSaudi Arabia or other countries. I think it never calculated the reaction of Yemen," Mohammed, a 43-year-old Yemeni tourist visiting the Galaxy Leader, told Middle East Eye in December 2023. 

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"The Israelis have flattened many neighbourhoods in Gaza and killed thousands of people. If Israel can give life to those it murdered and reconstruct Gaza, then this ship should be allowed to return to its Israeli owners," he added at the time. 

The Houthis will now limit their attacks on commercial vessels to Israel-linked ships after the Gaza ceasefire came into effect, the Yemen-based Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (Hocc) said this week. 

The Hocc, which coordinates between Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators, said that if the US, Britain or Israel resumed strikes on Yemen, attacks on vessels affiliated with the countries would resume.

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, who leads the Houthi movement, said there would be further attacks on Israel if it did not abide by the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

He also credited the "success" of the group's naval blockade, saying it led to "true victory" against Israel.

In addition to the blockade, the Houthis have conducted several direct drone and missile attacks on Israel since October 2023.

In December, the group fired a ballistic missile and several drones towards Israel. Israel responded with several strikes on Yemen, including at Sanaa International Airport, several ports and a power station. 

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