In this photo provided by the Ministry of Defence, Sea Ceptor missiles are fired from HMS Richmond shooting down two Houthi drones, March 9, 2024 in the Red Sea. (PHOTO / AP)

MANILA — A Philippine diplomat said Tuesday that negotiations continue for the release of 17 Filipino sailors taken hostage by the Yemen's Houthi rebels last year, and the rebels insist "an end to the war in Gaza" as a precondition for their release.

"The Houthis are consistent in their statement that it would need an end to the war in Gaza before they release the ship or the seafarers," Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told a press conference at the presidential palace.

The Philippines is among the biggest suppliers of maritime labor in the world, providing almost one-fifth of seafarers worldwide, according to the International Labor Organization

De Vega said the seafarers are safe and can communicate with their families, although not in the best condition.

READ MORE: Gaza truce holds for now as more hostages released

"At the very least, one thing we're always in touch with the Houthis about is to ensure that they are treated well and that they are able to contact their families," de Vega said.

The Philippines is among the biggest suppliers of maritime labor in the world, providing almost one-fifth of seafarers worldwide, according to the International Labor Organization.

The 17 Filipino seafarers were among the crew members of a cargo vessel taken hostage by the Houthis in the Red Sea in November last year.

At the same news conference, de Vega said that 11 of the 13 sailors, who survived another attack against a cargo vessel by the Houthis, will return to Manila on Tuesday night while the remaining two will come home via an air ambulance in the next few days.

READ MORE: Yemen's Houthis claim attack on Greek-owned vessel in Red Sea

Last week, a cargo ship True Confidence was hit by several anti-ship ballistic missiles some 50 nautical miles southwest of Aden port, off southern Yemen. Two Filipinos were killed in the attack.