ALBAWABA: According to a top official in the Hamas military wing, Al-Qassam Brigades, Ansar Allah, known as the Houthis. have given them the dossier of a detained ship, according to a top commander inside the Hamas military branch, Al-Qassam Brigades, who spoke with Al-Jazeera.
This revelation coincides with heightened Red Sea tensions, as Ansar Allah has escalated its actions recently, alleging Israeli plans to attack Rafah in southern Gaza and continue their siege.
The commander of Hamas stated that Ansar Allah contacted Hamas to inquire about possible middlemen for the crew's release from the ship. Notably, Ansar Allah emphasized that Hamas alone has the final say in all matters involving the ship and its crew. Moreover, Ansar Allah communicated their strategic will to continue fighting in the Red Sea until fighting ends and the blockade of Gaza is lifted.
Speaking under anonymity, the Hamas source stressed that since the Al-Aqsa Flood fight began in October of last year, Hamas has continued to coordinate with several combat fronts in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq.
Interestingly, US attempts to mediate separate ceasefires on both fronts were met with hostility; all fronts decided to hold out until Gaza onslaught subsided.
Regarding the crew of the imprisoned ship, Nasr al-Din Amer, Deputy Head of the Media Authority for Ansar Allah, confirmed strong coordination with the Al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas.
Al-Din Amer conveyed that Ansar Allah has notified the relevant governments that the Al-Qassam Brigades will be the only ones handling any discussions regarding the seized vessel and its crew.
The leader of Ansar Allah, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, warned in a televised speech that eight operations employing a combination of drones and rockets were carried out this week as retaliatory support in reaction to Israeli assault against Gaza, hitting seven vessels. Al-Houthi promised to escalate the situation even further if Israel keeps up its onslaught against Gaza.
