Israeli Air Force Strikes Hijacked Ship Galaxy Leader Used by Houthis for Surveillance

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has released footage showing an airstrike on the Galaxy Leader, a ship hijacked by Houthi forces in November 2023. The video captures the moment Israeli warplanes hit the car carrier at the Ras Isa port, where the ship had remained under Houthi control since its hijacking.

The Galaxy Leader had been turned into a surveillance platform by the Houthis, who installed radar systems to track vessels in international waters. Israeli military officials stated that the ship was being used to support operations by the Iran-backed group.

Owned by Galaxy Maritime Ltd. (registered in the Isle of Man), the Galaxy Leader is part of Ray Car Carriers Ltd., a UK-based company co-owned by Israeli businessman Abraham (Rami) Ungar.

The ship’s crew was held captive from November 2023 until January 2025 when they were released as part of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

Along with the strike on Galaxy Leader, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also bombed Houthi-controlled ports in Hodeidah and Salif, as well as the Ras Qantib power plant. Israeli forces claimed the ports were being used to transfer weapons from Iran. The IDF stated that warnings were issued to local civilians before the attacks were carried out.

Houthi forces responded by launching a large number of surface-to-air missiles, which they said were domestically produced. A spokesperson for the group stated that their defense systems “effectively repelled” the Israeli assault. Hours later, two missiles were fired from Yemen toward Israel.

Just hours before the Israeli attacks, the Greek-operated bulk carrier Magic Seas was targeted and sunk off the coast of Yemen. It is the third merchant vessel sunk by the Houthis since November 2023 when they began attacking commercial ships in response to the Gaza war.

On the same day, the Liberian-flagged Eternity C was hit approximately 50 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah. Four crew members died in the attack, bringing the total number of seafarers killed in the Red Sea since the Houthi attacks began in 2023 to at least eight.

Experts in maritime security have warned that ships linked to Israel are facing serious threats in the region. Since October 2023, when the war in Gaza began, Houthi forces have attacked both Israeli territory and commercial ships in the Red Sea. The Iran-backed Houthis say their actions are in support of Palestinians.

Reference: timesofisrael