[7] On November 19, 2023, Galaxy Leader was in ballast on a journey from Körfez, Turkey to Pipavav, India, when it was hijacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea near the Yemeni port city of Hodeida.

[14][13] The maritime risk management firm Ambrey also described the hijacking as sophisticated and bearing the hallmarks of an Iranian-style operation.

[17] An American defense official told the Associated Press in November 2023 that hijackers appeared to have been trained by a professional military, possibly Iran's.

Filipino foreign affairs official Eduardo de Vega stated, in March 2024, that he does not expect the hostages to be released until the war in Gaza is over.

"[25] Galaxy Maritime repeatedly called for release of its 25 crew members,[26][27] saying that they "have no connection whatsoever" to the ongoing Israel–Hamas war, and that "Nothing can be achieved by their further detention.

"[27] The ship owner also said that the crew members had been allowed "modest contact" with their families and were being treated "as well as can be expected in the circumstances".

[27] At an assembly of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United States, the Bahamas, and Japan condemned the hijacking of Galaxy Leader as well as other Houthi acts that threatened freedom of navigation.

[28][29] Satellite imagery revealed that, in late February or early March 2024, the ship was brought closer to the Hodeidah, being moved from 2 km offshore to about 500 m from the port.

[31] An Omani Royal Air Force jet that entered Yemen earlier that day took off around an hour before the announcement.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed the crew's release.