Philippines says 17 of its citizens among hostages taken by Yemen's Houthis

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Philippines said on Wednesday that 17 Filipino seafarers were taken hostage as Houthi rebels seized an Israel-linked ship in the Red Sea.

Houthi rebels seized Galaxy Leader, holding 25 people, including 17 Filipinos, said Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega, Manila-based daily Phil Star reported.

De Vega expressed concern as it's linked to Israel's conflict with Hamas.

“What reached us is that no harm will be done to the foreign crew members,” he said.

They plan to conduct a meeting with government entities, he added.

On Sunday, the Houthi group announced that it “captured an Israeli ship” in the Red Sea and had taken it to the Yemeni coast.

The Houthi said it seized the ship in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, and to pressure Israel to end the onslaught on Gaza.

Israel confirmed that Houthis hijacked an international cargo ship in the Red Sea but claimed that no Israelis were on board.