GALAXY LEADER

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Red Cross delegation visited hijacked ship and crew

The crew of the 'Galaxy Leader' expressed their hope for an early return to their families, when a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited the vessel on May 12 near the port city of Hodeidah. It was the first time that the organization did so, after the vessel was hijacked by the Houthi group. The delegation has met all 25 detainees to check on their condition and listen to their concerns. The crew consists of different nationalities, including Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Mexican and Filipino nationals. The Houthi group, also known as Ansar Allah, claimed that the crew have regular communication with their families. The Houthi group warned they will not be released until Israel's war on Gaza stops and permanent ceasefire is reached with Hamas.

European Parliament called on the EU to take immediate measures to free the hostages

The European Parliament called on the EU to take immediate measures to free the hostages taken by Yemeni Houthis during the attack on the 'Galaxy Leader', including three Ukrainian citizens. The European Parliament has drawn up a resolution concerning the hostage of crew members by Iran-backed Houthi forces, adopted on April 25 during a meeting in Strasbourg. The document was voted in favor by 357 MEPs, against by 20, and 58 abstained. “The European Parliament… Calls on the EU and its Member States to strengthen and intensify efforts to secure the safe and immediate release of all hostages taken (on board) the Galaxy Leader, including two Bulgarian, one Romanian and three Ukrainian nationals, who have been held by the Houthis since November 19, 2023,” the resolution noted. In addition, the European Parliament called on the EU High Representative and Member States to step up diplomatic efforts in this context and to engage all relevant parties to ensure the safe return of the captured Europeans without further delay. The document notes that Iran keeps the Yemeni Houthis under direct control and provides them with substantial military support. International shipping severely affected The International Chamber of Shipping has called on the international community to act to secure the immediate release of all 25 crew members of the 'Galaxy Leader', who have been seized by military force and held hostage by the Houthis.

Fate of crew and ship in the hands of terror organisation Hamas

The 'Galaxy Leader' and its crew are in the hands of the brothers in the Hamas resistance movement and the Al-Qassam Brigades. We have no claims of our own regarding this vessel,” Houthi spokesman Nasr Al-Din Amer said on March 14, and hope was fading for the imminent return of the international crew of the ship. A senior Filipino diplomat saying he did not expect a release until the war in Gaza is over, while the Houthis said, the fate of the sailors was now in Hamas’ hands.On Board were 17 Filipinos, two Bulgarians, three Ukrainians, two Mexicans and a Romanian hostage. 116 days since the hijacking, there was no indication that the Houthis were open to releasing them until the hostilities have ended. The word from the Houthiswas that they will keep holding the ship, and all the crew, until we see an end to the hostilities in Gaza, said Eduardo de Vega, the Filipino foreign affairs official. “It will be difficult for any government to recognize a government which attacks ships on the sea,” said de Vega. So, he said, “there is no point to negotiate, except to ensure humane conditions for the hostages."