News - Middle East: Journalist and economic analyst Salim Al-Ja'dabi confirmed that Yemen and its Armed Forces have imposed a suffocating blockade on the Zionist entity.

In an interview with Al-Masirah TV, Al-Ja'dabi explained that the Yemeni blockade began gradually—starting in the Red Sea, then expanding to the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and eventually reaching the Mediterranean Sea. The economic consequences for the Israeli economy, he stressed, have been catastrophic.

He noted that several Zionist ports were forced to shut down, including Umm Al-Rashrash Port (known by the occupiers as “Eilat”), which no longer receives any ships, severely impacting its operations.

Al-Ja’dabi explained that Umm Al-Rashrash was one of Israel’s most vital ports—not only for goods and vehicles, but also for oil transport, serving as a strategic link between the Zionist entity and the Red Sea, through normalized countries acting as intermediaries. This route was essential for critical commodities, including petroleum products and crude oil.

He added that the impact of Yemeni Armed Forces’ operations on Israeli maritime activity has been clearly reflected in official statistics and reports from the so-called Central Bureau and Ministry of Commerce in the Israeli entity. For instance, monthly import averages have dropped from $9 billion to $7.6 billion, and annual imports have fallen from $107 billion to $90 billion, a decline of roughly 15%. Exports also fell from $72 billion to $60 billion, amounting to a 13–14% drop.

Al-Ja’dabi pointed out that companies rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope face daily costs nearing $1 million, significantly raising the prices of basic goods, especially essentials.

He highlighted the dangers of navigating the Cape of Good Hope, where ocean currents converge, discouraging many companies from using that route.

He also revealed that the maritime blockade has affected not only civilian and strategic goods but also the flow of US weapon imports to Israel. A report by the Washington Institute confirmed that Yemeni operations have disrupted the smooth transport of US arms to the Zionist entity.

Al-Ja'dabi said companies like Maersk, a Danish shipping giant with Zionist stakeholders, have tried to break the blockade by smuggling weapons into Israel, according to international reports.

He emphasized that Israel relies heavily on maritime routes—over 90 percent of its imports, particularly food, come via sea—and that Tel Aviv never expected Yemen to successfully impose such a blockade, let alone also impose an air blockade.

Regarding the May 4 strike on Lod Airport (Ben Gurion), Al-Ja’dabi confirmed its significant impact, despite pro-Israeli media trying to downplay it. He revealed that the so-called “Israeli Airports Authority” issued two statements after the strike—one on May 5 claiming a rocket fell in a nearby orchard, and another on May 8 admitting that airport buildings were directly hit, which had a major impact on airline operations.

He stressed that if the effect had truly been minor—as some Israeli and pro-Israel Arab media claim—then numerous flights wouldn’t have been canceled and so many airlines wouldn’t have suspended operations or refused to provide services to the airport.

Al-Ja’dabi also referenced remarks from Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev, who recently confirmed that thousands of Israelis are stranded abroad, and that she held emergency meetings with major Israeli airlines urging them to implement a national evacuation plan.

He also noted that Israeli airlines exploited the crisis by hiking ticket prices to $2,500, profiting off of stranded citizens.

Al-Ja’dabi further stated that the number of airlines operating direct flights to Israel has dropped by 50 percent—from 50 to 25, and passenger numbers fell from 70,000 to 40,000, according to the Israeli minister.

He stressed that the airport is not just a passenger hub but a vital artery for high-priority cargo, including sensitive goods like pharmaceuticals that require rapid transport and specialized storage.

The Yemeni maritime and air blockade has inflicted severe damage on the Israeli economy—cutting imports and exports by around 15 percent, closing key ports, raising shipping costs to $1 million per day, and disrupting the flow of arms and sensitive cargo. The May 4 airstrike on Lod Airport led to international airline suspensions and thousands of stranded Israelis, as confirmed by internal Israeli reports.