News - Middle East: The American magazine National Interest confirmed that continued Yemeni attacks on Lod Airport would paralyze the Israeli economy, emphasizing that the recent strike on Haifa Port significantly escalates the threat to Israel. The port accounts for over 36 percent of the occupied entity’s cargo traffic, with revenues exceeding $92 billion.

The magazine described the targeting of Lod Airport—referred to by its Zionist name "Ben Gurion"—as a serious escalation, noting that the repeated strikes pose a severe threat to the tourism sector.

National Interest attributed the success of the Yemeni military strategy to effective timing and noted that the Yemeni Armed Forces are adept at distinguishing between real and false strategic opportunities.

It highlighted that the mounting threats from Yemen are forcing Netanyahu and his government to reconsider the feasibility of defeating the resistance, particularly Hamas. The report noted it is likely the Yemeni military will continue its successful tactic of imposing restrictions on navigation to Eilat, Haifa, and Lod Airport.

The magazine concluded by stressing that the blockade announced by the Yemenis could inflict severe damage on Israel.

Since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, Yemen has emerged as a pivotal regional actor in the confrontation, aligning itself firmly with the Palestinian resistance. The Yemeni Armed Forces, under the leadership of the Sana'a-based government, have launched a series of strategic military operations—including missile and drone strikes as well as naval and aerial blockades—targeting Israeli-linked infrastructure and shipping routes.

What began with the disruption of maritime traffic in the Red Sea soon evolved into more expansive campaigns, affecting key Israeli economic hubs such as the port of Eilat and Lod Airport. In May 2025, the Yemeni military escalated further by declaring a naval blockade on Haifa Port, a major economic artery for Israel, handling over a third of the country's cargo volume.

These operations form part of Yemen’s declared policy of pressuring Israel to end its war on Gaza and lift the siege. The attacks have triggered widespread disruptions in international shipping, tourism, and air travel, with dozens of global airlines suspending operations to and from Israeli airports.