ALBAWABA- The Houthis announced on Wednesday the release of the crew of the Israeli-linked ship Galaxy Leader, detained on November 19, 2023, during their operations in support of Gaza.
In a statement, the Houthis confirmed, "The crew of the ship has been released following communication with Hamas and through the mediation efforts of Oman." This move aligns with the broader agreement to uphold the ceasefire in Gaza.
A senior Houthi official revealed that talks between the Houthis and Hamas had been ongoing for days regarding the release of the Galaxy Leader crew.
"We consistently informed all mediators that the matter of the ship and its crew was in coordination with Hamas," the official stated.
The official further explained that the agreement to release the crew was reached via Omani mediation after the ceasefire deal was secured. The crew was subsequently handed over to Omani authorities.
Throughout their detention, the Houthis allowed the Red Cross to visit the 52 individuals aboard the ship multiple times.
The detainees were reported to be in good health and were treated humanely. International media also conducted interviews with the crew during their detention.
It is worth noting that the Galaxy Leader was seized by Houthi-run Yemeni naval forces on November 19, 2023, in the Red Sea, as part of an operation supporting Gaza.
