Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has released the crew of a cargo ship more than a year after its fighters hijacked the vessel in the Red Sea, as part of its campaign of attacks in support of Hamas in its war against Israel.

Yemen's Houthis will limit their attacks on commercial vessels to Israel-linked ships only, provided the Gaza ceasefire is fully implemented, the group has said, potentially reducing disruptions that have affected world maritime trade for more than a year.

Yemen's Houthi rebels said on Wednesday they had released the detained crew of the ship Galaxy Leader, held since November 2023, after the Gaza ceasefire deal came into effect.