Houthis strangle the Eilat port: it has almost ceased operations

The Houthi advance in Yemen and their capture of positions near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait threaten to completely shut down the Eilat port. Shipping companies avoid the route, insurance rates are rising, and the port, whose revenues have dropped from 240 million shekels to nearly zero, is operating at minimal capacity—one ship per month.

The Houthi advance in Yemen and their strengthening of positions near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait threaten to completely halt operations at the Eilat port. Shipping companies avoid the dangerous route, insurance rates are rising sharply, and port management warns that even minimal operations may soon cease. In recent days, the Houthis have captured the city of Mokha and other areas on the Red Sea coast, strengthened positions on Perim Island in the center of the strait, and captured two more islands to the north. According to international media, this has expanded the group's ability to disrupt ship traffic. The Houthis can now lay naval mines and completely block the strait. Due to the threats, shipping companies are rerouting vessels around Africa via the Cape of Good Hope, increasing costs. The port was already severely affected in late 2023. Car imports moved to Haifa and Ashdod. The port's revenues, which were about 240 million shekels per year, have dropped to nearly zero. Since March 2026, the port receives an average of one ship per month, delivering about 4,700 cars. The port offers 90% discounts on some fees. Port management believes the crisis will last at least three years and demands long-term support from the state. Chairman of the Israel Port Company, Hezi Halawiya, stated the need to develop alternative land routes, including a railway to Eilat. Professor Yehoshua Krasna noted that the international community does not yet know how to contain the Houthis.