Israeli Embassy offers condolences amid death of Pinoy seafarers in Houthi missile attacks

The Embassy of Israel in the Philippines extended its condolences following the death of two Filipinos during the Houthi missile attack on a Pinoy-crewed cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden.

In a statement on Tuesday, the embassy expressed Israel’s solidarity with the Philippines and condemned the attack.

“The attacks by the Houthis on vessels in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean violate the freedom of navigation, threaten the welfare of seafarers, and impact the shipment sector, supply chains, and prices of oil,” read the statement.

Israel also extended its well-wishes towards the three Filipinos who were also injured in the incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families, and we wish for (their) speedy recovery,” the Israeli embassy said.

On March 6, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility for a missile attack on the bulk carrier MV True Confidence 50 nautical miles off  the Yemeni port of Aden.

A total of 15 Filipino seafarers were reported to be part of the ship’s crew.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has expressed intent to retrieve the bodies of the deceased seafarers upon the vessel’s arrival in Oman, while 11 Pinoys are set to return to Manila on Tuesday.

Houthi, in November, claimed that their attacks on ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden was a campaign launched in solidarity with Palestinians and Hamas against Israel’s war in Gaza.

Last November, Houthi rebels also captured a cargo ship at the Red Sea and held its crew that included 17 Filipinos hostage.