The Houthis released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, owned by an Israeli businessman. The sailors have been captured by the group since the end of 2023

Houthi rebels announced that they have freed the crew of the Galaxy Leader, which was captured in November 2023, the Associated Press reports.

“This move is aimed at supporting the ceasefire agreement in Gaza,” the rebels said in an official statement. The release was mediated by the authorities of Oman, a country that, like Yemen, is located in the south of the Arabian Peninsula.

A total of 25 people were released - citizens of the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Mexico.

• The Galaxy Leader was seized by the Houthis in November 2023, shortly after the group vowed to attack any vessels owned or operated by Israeli companies. The ship was sailing from Turkey to India under the flag of the Bahamas, it was rented by a company from Japan - the militants explained the seizure by the fact that the ship formally belongs to a British company, one of the co-owners of which is Israeli businessman Rami Unger.
• After reaching a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, the Houthis said they would voluntarily abide by the agreement and stop shelling Israeli territory. The Houthis carried out strikes on Israel and attacked commercial ships at the end of 2023 - they explained their actions in solidarity with the Gazans who were dying as a result of the actions of the Israeli army.