The International Red Cross recently visited a 25-member crew onboard the Galaxy Leader vessel, which was hijacked last year by Iran-backed Houthi rebels and is currently docked in the port city of Hodeidah, a Houthi stronghold. The visit was coordinated with local authorities and aimed at monitoring the conditions of detention and treatment of the crew members. This marks the second visit by the ICRC since the ship was hijacked in November 2023.
The crew members were held hostage by the Houthi rebels in response to Israel’s conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The crew consists of individuals from Bulgaria, the Philippines, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico, according to the ship’s operator, NYK Line. The fate of the crew members reportedly depends on negotiations with Hamas, as the ship is of Israeli origin. Despite the circumstances, the crew members are said to be in good condition, maintaining communication with their families and receiving healthcare.
While the ICRC did not publicly share its findings and observations from the visit, Nasser El-Dien Aamer, the general director of Saba News Agency, mentioned that the crew’s release is contingent on successful negotiations with Hamas. He also stated that the crew members are in good health and are receiving proper care. However, reports from the Philippines government indicated that some of the Filipino crew members were experiencing significant health issues, particularly symptoms of malaria. Calls were made for their release due to their deteriorating health condition.
Authorities in Sanaa mentioned that the release of the crew members is subject to external decisions, without providing further details. Negotiations over their fate are said to be possible, but the outcome remains uncertain. In response to attacks against Israel, the Israeli army launched strikes on military targets in Hodeidah in July, though no Filipino crew members were affected by the attacks. The increase in attacks by the Houthis in the region has been linked to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which began in October.
The Houthis, who control Sanaa and significant parts of Yemen, have sporadically targeted ships in the region. The 2014 civil war in Yemen forced the internationally recognized government into exile, with the Houthis gaining control over key areas in the country. The situation remains complex, with negotiations and diplomatic efforts ongoing to secure the release and well-being of the crew members held on the hijacked vessel. The ICRC continues to play a role in monitoring their conditions and facilitating communication between the detainees and their families or respective home countries.
