The Long-Awaited Release of the Galaxy Leader Crew Hangs in the Balance: Between War in Gaza and Hamas’ Decision
The hope for a swift release of the international crew members hijacked by the Houthis on November 19, 2022, aboard the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea, is fading away. As the days turn into weeks, and weeks into months, a senior Filipino diplomat, Eduardo de Vega, expressed his uncertainty about the sailors’ imminent release. He believes that the fate of the crew is now in Hamas’ hands and does not anticipate their freedom until the ongoing war in Gaza comes to an end.
The Galaxy Leader cargo ship, with its crew consisting of 17 Filipinos, two Bulgarians, three Ukrainians, two Mexicans, and a Romanian, was hijacked by Houthi rebels using a helicopter. The militant group, backed by Iran, has been targeting ships in the Red Sea since late last year as part of their retaliation against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
The Houthi spokesman, Nasr Al-Din Amer, recently stated that Hamas now holds the power to decide on the release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew. However, there have been ongoing discussions between Hamas and the Houthis regarding this matter. The Filipino government official, Eduardo de Vega, indicated that the Houthis may be seeking official recognition as the Yemeni government in exchange for the crew’s release. Yet, such a concession seems unlikely given the international community’s stance against recognizing a government that attacks ships on the high seas.
The Philippines, being one of the world’s largest suppliers of seafarers, is particularly vulnerable to this conflict as Filipinos make up more than one-fifth of maritime manpower. Since the hijacking incident, there have been over 100 incidents involving hostile activity towards ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait area. The Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest trade arteries, has been impacted as many companies have had to redirect vessels and crews on longer routes around Africa.
The crew’s welfare is of significant concern during this time, with most being held on the ship itself. The Filipino government representative stated that they are being fed and treated well; however, their communications with family members have been limited to weekly brief calls. Although some crew members have been held onshore at times, there is no indication of violence or harm towards them. The local community has even turned the hijacked vessel into a tourist attraction, with curious locals frequently visiting it in small boats.
Mohammed Al-Qadhi, a Yemeni conflict analyst based in Cairo, believes that even when the war ends, the Houthis may not immediately release the crew. Instead, they might seek larger deals involving Gaza or their own interests before considering a release.
The incident raises questions about industry standards and the safety of seafarers, most of whom are from developing countries, working on ships passing through the Red Sea. Crew members should be aware of their rights, including being paid double time for work in high-risk areas and having the option to refuse assignments and be repatriated at the company’s expense. Unfortunately, many crew members may not be aware of these protections or their ships’ ownership ties to certain countries.
As the Galaxy Leader crew continues to wait for their release, family members hold onto hope and pray for a swift resolution. Meanwhile, tensions in the Red Sea remain high, posing significant risks to seafarers and their wellbeing.
