A recent visit by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to a 25-member crew on board the Galaxy Leader vessel shed light on the ongoing situation following the ship’s hijack by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the port city of Hodeidah. The ICRC’s head of Yemen Delegation, Jurg Montani, explained that the visit, which was coordinated with local authorities, aimed to monitor the conditions of detention and the treatment of the detainees as part of the organization’s mandate. This visit, conducted in collaboration with local authorities, is the second one since May when the first meeting occurred.

The cargo ship was seized by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea in response to Israel’s conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip back in November 2023. The crew members held hostage hail from various countries like Bulgaria, the Philippines, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico. The ship is operated by the Japanese company NYK Line. Despite concerns about the crew members’ well-being, Montani stated that the ICRC maintains confidentiality regarding its findings and observations, preferring to address them directly with the relevant authorities.

Nasser El-Dien Aamer, the general director of Saba News Agency who joined the ICRC during the visit, shared with Houthi-controlled al-Masirah TV that the crew’s fate hinges on negotiations with Hamas due to the ship’s Israeli ownership. He expressed optimism that successful negotiations would lead to the immediate release of the crew members once an agreement is reached. The crew members are reportedly in good health, staying in touch with their families, and receiving necessary healthcare.

Amidst concerns over the declining health of some Filipino crew members, the Philippines government called for their release, citing significant health issues and symptoms of malaria among the 17 Filipino nationals. However, authorities in Sanaa indicated that the crew members’ release is contingent on external decisions, hinting at ongoing negotiations surrounding their fate. Furthermore, the Israeli army’s targeted military strikes in Hodeidah as a response to continuous attacks did not impact any of the Filipino crew members.

The Houthi rebels, who control Sanaa and other regions in Yemen, have engaged in sporadic attacks on ships in the area over time, with an escalation observed since the onset of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The situation remains complex, with negotiations playing a crucial role in determining the release of the crew members.