The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has released footage of an airstrike on the Galaxy Leader, a ship hijacked by Houthi forces in November 2023. The video shows Israeli warplanes striking the car carrier at Ras Isa port, where it had been under Houthi control. The ship was repurposed by the Houthis as a surveillance platform to monitor vessels in international waters, allegedly supporting operations for the Iran-backed group.
The Galaxy Leader is owned by Galaxy Maritime Ltd., registered in the Isle of Man, and part of Ray Car Carriers Ltd., co-owned by Israeli businessman Abraham Ungar. The crew was held captive from November 2023 until January 2025, when they were released as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
In addition to targeting the Galaxy Leader, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) bombed Houthi-controlled ports in Hodeidah and Salif, claiming these were used for transferring weapons from Iran. Houthi forces retaliated by launching surface-to-air missiles, asserting their defense systems effectively repelled the Israeli assault. The ongoing conflict has seen multiple commercial vessels attacked since the onset of the Gaza war, raising maritime security concerns in the region.
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