The crew of the Galaxy Leader has been released by Yemen's Houthi rebels, marking a significant development since the ship's capture in November 2023 amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The liberation followed Omani mediation, though no official confirmation has been provided by Oman. The crew of 25 included nationals from several countries. The Houthis said their action supports the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
The Galaxy Leader, linked to prominent Israeli billionaire Abraham "Rami" Ungar, was taken due to its association with Israel. The seizure was part of a larger campaign by the Iran-backed Houthis targeting vessels in disputed waters, which ceased with the recent truce in Gaza. Following the incident, the Houthis have said that future assaults in the Red Sea corridor will focus solely on Israeli-connected ships, albeit with a cautionary note that broader strikes could resume.
Despite this release and the shift in Houthi strategy, global trade faces ongoing challenges. The frequency of Houthi attacks, including helicopter-borne raids on over 100 merchant ships, has severely reduced traffic through the Red Sea. This disruption has significantly impacted revenues from the Suez Canal, vital for transport between Asia and Europe. The broader geopolitical tensions persist, amplifying the uncertainty for international shipping interests in the region. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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