The Philippine government said on Wednesday that 17 of its citizens are among the 25 sailors held hostage by the Houthis in Yemen. On Sunday, the Houthis seized the Israeli-linked Galaxy Leader, which was traveling under the flag of The Bahamas in the Red Sea. They diverted it to Yemen's western port city of Al-Hudaydah. They said the seizure of the ship was intended to put pressure on Israel to end its bombing of Gaza. "We are currently working with the Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as officials of the registered shipping and manning agency of the vessel to monitor the safety and well-being of the 17 Filipino seafarers onboard the ship, and to bring them home safely," the Department of Migrant Workers of the Philippines said in a statement. The EU mission in Yemen said that several EU nationals were also among the ship's crew.
Rashad Al-Alimi, the head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, warned Wednesday of the risks of dragging the region into a broader proxy conflict involving Israel and Iran. This comes after the Houthi seizure of an Israeli-linked ship on Sunday in the Red Sea off Yemen.He indicated that the obstruction of international marine routes will create repercussions on the Yemeni economy and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the country. Meanwhile, Al-Alimi welcomed the success of Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediation in achieving a temporary humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The United States has called for the "immediate release" of the cargo ship and its crew kidnapped by the Houthis in the Red Sea. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, stated in a press conference that "the Houthi seizure of the Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea constitutes a flagrant violation of international law." He demanded the immediate release of the ship, indicating that Washington will consult with allies and partners regarding the next steps. On Sunday, the Houthis seized the cargo ship "Galaxy Leader" in the Red Sea, with approximately 25 crew members on board.
On Wednesday, Israel and Hamas agreed to the four-day halt, which will facilitate the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel and hostages held by Hamas. The deal, brokered by Qatar, the U.S. and Egypt, was made public as fighting intensified in central neighborhoods of Gaza City. Egypt's state-run Qahera TV channel said the truce would take effect Thursday morning local time. The ceasefire will bring the first respite to Palestinians in Gaza and a glimmer of hope to the families of the captives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his Cabinet for a vote on Wednesday, and he vowed to resume the Israeli offensive against Hamas as soon as the truce ends. "We are at war, and we will continue the war," he said. "We will continue until we achieve all our goals."Netanyahu said that intelligence efforts will be maintained during the lull, allowing the army to prepare for the next stages of the battle. He said the battle would continue until "Gaza will not threaten Israel."
