News - Middle East: An influential Zionist newspaper has acknowledged that Yemen represents one of the biggest obstacles to the normalization agreements between Arab states and the Zionist entity, while simultaneously inflicting enormous economic and strategic costs on “Israel.”

In an extensive report on the impact of normalization accords, Israel Hayom highlighted what it termed the “Yemeni obstacle” or “Houthi obstacle,” describing Yemen as a serious challenge to fully realizing the potential of the Abraham Accords.

The paper stressed that Yemeni control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait — one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints — has disrupted Zionist shipping in the Red Sea, raised transportation and insurance costs, and damaged supply chains. It further noted that Yemeni naval operations have inflicted economic losses estimated in the “hundreds of billions of dollars” on the Zionist entity.

According to the report, Washington believes Yemen’s operations will ease once the war on Gaza ends, hence its push to conclude the conflict. However, the paper warned that Yemen’s continued dominance over Red Sea routes could extend well beyond Gaza, prolonging the strategic threat.

The newspaper also admitted that the Zionist regime has failed to achieve its objectives through the assassination of Yemen’s government leaders, pointing out that despite such actions, Yemeni missiles and drones continue to strike deep inside occupied Palestine. It concluded that “the Yemenis will remain a threat,” appealing for US intervention and the formation of a broad coalition to launch a wider assault on Yemen.

Since 2023, Yemen has intensified its military campaign against the Zionist entity in response to its aggression on Gaza and wider regional policies. By targeting shipping lanes in the Red Sea and striking airports and infrastructure inside occupied Palestine, Yemeni forces have significantly expanded the scope of confrontation. Analysts say Yemen’s ability to combine military pressure with control over a vital maritime corridor has turned it into a decisive factor shaping the future of normalization deals in the region.