ISTANBUL

Oman has announced the success of its mediation efforts to bring the release of the crew members of the Galaxy Leader vessel, held by the Yemeni Houthi group since November 2023.

In a statement late Wednesday, the Omani Foreign Ministry "announced the successful release of the crew of the ship Galaxy Leader and their arrival in the Sultanate of Oman."

It also said the release of the 25 crew members from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Mexico, Ukraine, and Romania "represents a significant achievement reflecting Oman's commitment to its regional and international humanitarian role."

Publishing photos on their arrival to the capital Muscat, the Omani Foreign Ministry also noted that the crew members were transported from Yemen's capital Sanaa through an Omani Royal Air Force aircraft "in preparation for their return to their respective countries."

"We are happy to confirm the successful release of the Galaxy Leader crew and their safe arrival in Oman," Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said on his X account.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Yemeni Houthi group said it released the crew of an "Israeli ship" after a ceasefire deal that halted Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

"We announce the release of the crew of the Galaxy Leader vessel that was seized on Nov. 19, 2023 as part of our support battle for Gaza," the Houthi Political Bureau said in a statement cited by the group's news agency SABA.

It said the release came after communication with the Palestinian group Hamas and mediation from Oman.

Meanwhile, the Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also confirmed the release and said the Filipino seafarers were "now in the care of the Philippines Embassy in Muscat, Oman and will be reunited with their loved ones in the Philippines very soon."

"Allow me to express my gratitude to His Majesty Haitham bin Tarik, Sultan of Oman and his government for their successful mediation, which led to the eventual release and safe passage of our countrymen through Oman," Marcos said in a statement.

Israel has denied that any Israeli ship was seized by the Houthi group in Yemen.

The Houthi group has targeted cargo ships in the Red Sea owned or operated by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with the Gaza Strip.

A Gaza ceasefire agreement took effect on Jan. 19, suspending Israel’s genocidal war that has killed nearly 47,200 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 111,160 since Oct. 7, 2023.

The three-phase ceasefire agreement includes a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, aiming for a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The Israeli onslaught has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar and contribution by Aamir Latif.