Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on Wednesday that they had released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier seized in November 2023 as part of their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. This move comes amid the broader context of the Israel-Hamas conflict, as the Houthis try to de-escalate their aggression.
The release of the sailors follows mediation by Oman, a country that has often acted as a mediator between the Houthis and other parties. While Oman has not officially confirmed the release, a Royal Air Force jet from Oman flew to Yemen earlier on the same day.
The release also comes at a time when U.S. President Donald Trump is likely considering whether to reinstate a terrorism designation for the Houthis, a designation that had been removed by President Joe Biden.
The Houthis also mentioned that Hamas had specifically requested them to release the crew of the Galaxy Leader, which consisted of 25 sailors from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico.
In their statement to the rebel-controlled SABA news agency, the Houthis said this move was made in support of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they hijacked the Galaxy Leader ship due to its ties to Israel. This was part of a broader campaign by the Houthis targeting ships in international waters, which only ceased with the recent ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The Bahamas-flagged vessel is connected to Israeli billionaire Abraham “Rami” Ungar, one of Israel’s wealthiest individuals.
The Houthi attack on the Galaxy Leader involved a helicopter raid, and the Houthis have frequently broadcast propaganda footage from the raid. They even filmed a music video aboard the ship.
On Monday, the Houthis announced that they would limit their attacks in the Red Sea to ships affiliated with Israel, following the ceasefire in Gaza. However, they warned that they could resume broader attacks if necessary.
The release of the Galaxy Leader’s crew is unlikely to prompt global companies to resume using the Red Sea shipping route, which is vital for transporting goods and energy between Asia and Europe. Houthi attacks have significantly reduced traffic through this region, impacting Egypt’s revenue from the Suez Canal, which connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean.
The release may be a move to gain favor with the United States, though the vessel remains docked at Yemen’s Hodeida port. Yemen expert Mohammed al-Basha of the Basha Report suggested that the Houthis may be trying to delay their re-designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the new Trump administration.
Since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023, the Houthis have targeted over 100 merchant ships using missiles and drones. This follows the deadly surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and led to the capture of 250 hostages. In response, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have killed over 46,000 Palestinians, though these figures are not separated into civilians and combatants, with reports indicating that women and children make up a significant portion of the deaths.
The Houthis have taken control of one ship and sunk two others as part of their ongoing campaign, which has also resulted in the deaths of four sailors. Some missile and drone attacks have been intercepted by U.S. and European-led coalitions in the Red Sea, while others have failed to hit their intended targets, including Western military vessels.
The rebels have claimed that their attacks were aimed at ships associated with Israel, the U.S., or the U.K. However, many of the vessels targeted had little to no connection to these countries, with some even heading for Iran.
The frequency of Houthi attacks, particularly on ships at sea, has decreased in recent weeks. This reduction may be partly due to the U.S. airstrike campaign, with the U.S. and its allies conducting over 260 strikes against the Houthis, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.