The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), an organization founded in 1863, recently conducted a visit to the Galaxy Leader vessel, currently docked in Hodeidah, Yemen's principal port on the Red Sea. This cargo ship, operated by the Japanese NYK Line, one of the world's largest shipping companies, was hijacked by Houthi rebels in November 2023, approximately 10 months ago.
The vessel's 25 crew members, hailing from Bulgaria, the Philippines, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico, have been held captive since the hijacking. This incident occurred in response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, which began on October 7, 2023, nearly 11 months ago.
Jurg Montani, head of ICRC's Yemen Delegation, stated that the visit, which took place on September 25, 2024, was coordinated with local authorities. This marks the second such visit, with the first occurring in May 2024. The ICRC's mandate includes monitoring detention conditions and facilitating communication between detainees and their families or diplomatic representatives.
While the ICRC maintains confidentiality regarding its findings, concerns about the crew's health have been raised. The Philippines government reported last month that several of the 17 Filipino crew members were experiencing symptoms of malaria, a mosquito-borne disease common in tropical regions.
Nasser El-Dien Aamer, general director of Saba News Agency, who accompanied the ICRC, stated that the crew's fate is linked to negotiations with Hamas. He claimed the crew members are in good condition and able to communicate with their families.
The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, have controlled Sanaa, Yemen's largest city, and much of the country's north and center since the outbreak of civil war in 2014. This conflict has resulted in Yemen becoming the poorest country in the Middle East and has sparked a severe humanitarian crisis, prompting United Nations involvement in mediation efforts since 2015.
The hijacking of the Galaxy Leader is part of a broader pattern of Houthi attacks on ships in the region, which have intensified since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. These attacks have particularly affected the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic shipping lane connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
In July 2024, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted strikes on military targets in Hodeidah, Yemen's fourth-largest city, in response to what they described as "hundreds of attacks" against Israel. The Philippines government confirmed that none of the Filipino crew members were affected by these strikes.
As negotiations continue, the international community remains focused on securing the release of the Galaxy Leader's crew and addressing the broader regional tensions that have led to such incidents.