The Yemeni Supreme Political Council announced today, Wednesday, the release of the crew of the Galaxy Leader ship, who was detained on November 19, 2023, as part of Yemen's efforts to support Gaza in the war waged by the Israeli occupation.

In a statement, the council confirmed that "the Yemeni government in Sanaa released the ship's crew, detained in the context of supporting Gaza, following communication with Hamas and efforts facilitated by the Sultanate of Oman." The move was described as a gesture supporting the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

A senior Yemeni source revealed to Al Mayadeen that "talks have been ongoing for days between Sanaa and Hamas regarding the Galaxy Leader crew." The source emphasized that "Sanaa consistently informed mediators that the matter of the ship and its crew was in Hamas's hands."

The source also noted that Sanaa honored its commitments, with coordination between Sanaa and Hamas leading to an agreement on the crew's release, mediated by Oman, after the ceasefire agreement was reached.

According to the source, the crew of the Galaxy Leader was handed over through Omani mediation. He highlighted that Sanaa allowed multiple visits by the International Red Cross to check on the crew, ensuring they were in good health and treated humanely throughout their detention. The crew was also permitted to conduct interviews with international media during these visits.

The Galaxy Leader, an Israeli vessel, was seized by Yemeni naval forces in a significant operation on November 19, 2023, in the Red Sea. The operation, conducted as part of Yemen’s military support for Gaza, resulted in the detention of 25 individuals aboard the ship.

Galaxy Leader seizure

The Yemeni leadership issued its directives to the armed forces several years ago to keep the movements of the Israeli occupation ships, on all paths, under constant surveillance.

The YAF adhered to the directives. The disappearance of the ships' locations, the changing of their flags, or any attempts to camouflage and mislead the monitoring efforts did not prevent the YAF from capturing the ship in the range of intelligence targeting before being military targeting.

The YAF continued to collect information and follow up on multiple missions and all elements required for the success of the mission, including personnel and equipment. All that remained was to wait for the right moment: 12:30 pm on November 19.

Ansar Allah spokesperson Yahya Saree said in November the army would target all ships owned or operated by Israeli companies or ones bearing the Israeli flag, calling on countries to withdraw their citizens operating on such ships. The naval battles continued to unfold for the following year until the cessation of hostilities on Gaza.

Some of the crew on the Israeli ship were eating, others were playing, on board. The YAF boarded the ship so swiftly that the crew did not realize their presence until it was too late. 

The seizure of Galaxy Leader was the first of an Israeli-linked ship in the Red Sea.

Since then, the YAF has unleashed a naval battle against the Israeli occupation in the Red and Arabian seas in support of the people of Palestine.