Eilat’s Port Shutdown: A strategic victory for Yemen and a blow to “Israel”
OCCUPIED PALESTINE, July 18 (YPA) – The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Eilat Port in occupied Palestine announced that the port will halt operations starting Sunday, following its failure to pay accumulated debts and the Israeli government’s refusal to provide adequate financial support—estimated at just 15 million shekels.
This development marks a significant strategic and economic blow to the Zionist entity and a strategic victory for the Yemeni forces, who have successfully disrupted the port of Umm al-Rashrash through ongoing military operations in the Red Sea.
According to Israeli Channel 12, the closure of the Eilat Port is a direct result of of attacks by the Sanaa-based forces on vessels en route to the port.
The shutdown of Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat) Port carries implications far beyond financial losses. As Israel’s only maritime gateway to the Red Sea, its closure is expected to paralyze approximately 50% of the country’s automobile trade, disrupt the movement of 2.1 million tons of goods annually, and suspend the export of around 50,000 containers valued at no less than $6 billion.
Furthermore, the closure will result in the shutdown of the port’s ship maintenance yard, leading to the loss of millions in revenue. It will also sever direct maritime lines between Eilat and the UAE’s Jebel Ali Port, while raising shipping costs from Asia and East Africa by more than 25%.
Hundreds of port workers are expected to lose their jobs, exacerbating the economic hardship in the region. The Eilat Free Trade Zone also faces potential closure, threatening billions in revenue and putting the livelihoods of 45,000 workers and their families at risk.
As reported by Israel Hayom, the Eilat Port has remained largely inactive since November 2023 due to threats posed by Yemeni missile attacks. In parallel, the economic daily Calcalist quoted port officials saying: “Netanyahu’s government is throwing us away like dogs,” describing the situation as a major victory for the Yemenis.
The report also confirms that the port’s bank accounts have been frozen, and full closure is scheduled for next week. Port revenues have plummeted by 80% since November 2023, despite the government’s limited aid package of 15 million shekels.
Israel’s National Emergency Authority has warned that the closure will halt port-related tug and support vessels and will disrupt the Asia–Europe pipeline, which transports crude oil from Eilat to Ashkelon.
Additionally, the shutdown will severely impact potash exports from the Dead Sea plants, which must now be redirected through the Ashdod Port on the Mediterranean—resulting in significantly higher transport costs.
Since November 2023, the port has remained largely inactive as a result of the Sanaa Armed Forces’ naval blockade targeting Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab. These operations were launched to pressure the Israeli regime to cease its aggression on Gaza.
@E.Y.M