The recent release of footage by Houthis’ TV channel, Al Masirah, depicting the hijacking of the ‘Galaxy Leader,’ a ship en route to India, has sparked international concern. The incident, occurring in the Red Sea, drew attention when Israel labeled it as an “Iranian act of terrorism” on Sunday. The Houthis, in contrast, identified the seized ship as Israeli and asserted that they were treating the crew in accordance with Islamic principles.
Japan, whose Nippon Yusen operated the captured vessel, sought assistance from Saudi, Omani, and Iranian authorities to ensure the prompt release of the ship and its crew. The Galaxy Leader, a car carrier traveling from Europe to India without cargo, had 25 crew members hailing from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, and Mexico. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Hirokazu Matsuno, strongly condemned the act in a news conference, emphasizing that no Japanese nationals were among the crew.
The ownership details revealed that the Galaxy Leader is owned by a company registered under Isle of Man-headquartered Ray Car Carriers, a unit of Tel Aviv-incorporated Ray Shipping. Attempts to reach Ray Car Carriers and Ray Shipping for comment were unsuccessful at the time.
This incident unfolded amidst heightened tensions, as the Houthis had previously declared their intention to launch further attacks on Israel. They specifically mentioned the possibility of targeting Israeli ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The Houthis, known for their alliance with Tehran, have been engaging in long-range missile and drone attacks on Israel, aligning themselves with Palestinian Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
The United States is closely monitoring the situation, as confirmed by a defense official. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, responding to the incident, stated that a ship, not named, had been seized. It clarified that there were no Israelis aboard and emphasized that Israel was not involved in the ownership or operation of the vessel. The office condemned the act as another instance of Iranian terrorism, escalating tensions and posing potential threats to global shipping routes.
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