News - Yemen: Economic expert, analyst Rashid Al-Haddad described Yemen’s decision to impose a maritime blockade on the port of Haifa in northern occupied Palestine as "strategic," noting that it was a "carefully studied" move.

He explained that upcoming Yemeni operations targeting the port will demonstrate that designating it as a primary target will pressure the enemy to immediately end its aggression, blockade on the Gaza Strip.

He stated that the decision introduces a new equation on both military, economic levels against the enemy entity, placing one of the most vital occupied ports—on which the enemy heavily relies for maritime trade—on Yemen’s target list. This will increase import costs and negatively affect various sectors, from food to technology.

Al-Haddad highlighted that Haifa Port is one of the most prominent Palestinian ports under Israeli control and is a major hub for receiving large container ships due to its significant depth, ability to accommodate massive vessels.

He confirmed that the Israeli enemy relies heavily on this port for more than 70 percent of its total import and export operations, especially following the Yemeni Armed Forces' blockade of the port of Umm Al-Rashrash.

He explained that repeating the blockade on Haifa and shutting down one of the most critical economic corridors in occupied Palestine—dubbed "Israel’s gateway to the world"—will push the enemy into multiple crises and significant challenges that will be difficult to overcome.

Al-Haddad noted that Haifa Port is not limited to import and export but also houses large, strategic facilities, including factories, power plants providing about 40% of the entity’s electricity needs, and serves as a major storage and export hub for ammonia. It also functions as a strategic depot for military industries and contains chemical and oil refining plants.

He stated "Any attack targeting Haifa Port, the main engine of the enemy, will have major repercussions on its economy," especially now that the port has become a central point for exporting chemicals, various flammable minerals.

He stressed that military operations directed at this port will have a profound economic impact.

With the Israeli enemy now facing a new military, economic challenge executed by the Yemeni Armed Forces from over 2,400 kilometers away, Al-Haddad believes this situation "places over 70 percent of Israel’s economy within the range of Yemen’s missiles."

He noted that following this Yemeni decision, the only remaining port for the Israeli enemy is Ashdod, near Gaza. However, it will not be able to handle the volume of operations the entity primarily relies on through Haifa, which serves as the backbone of the occupation’s economy.

Haifa Port, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, is considered one of the largest and most important ports relied upon by the enemy, with a strategic location in northern occupied Palestine, close to European, Mediterranean markets. It plays a vital role in import and export, houses a naval base and key economic facilities, and also includes infrastructure for the elite "YALTAM" deep-sea missions unit and the submarine fleet, including docks, berths, and the command headquarters of the "Flotilla 7" submarine unit.

On Monday, Yemeni Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Sare'e announced the intention to enforce a maritime blockade on Haifa Port in occupied Palestine, similar to the one imposed on the Zionist Port of Umm Al-Rashrash (Eilat), leading to a complete shutdown of operations there.

This latest move comes after Yemen’s success in enforcing an aerial blockade on Lod Airport (Ben Gurion), as part of its broader effort to impose a suffocating siege on the Zionist enemy and isolate it from the rest of the world—until the aggression ends and the siege on Gaza is lifted.