Eilat port shut down due to Yemen operations: Israeli Media
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Israeli media report that Yemen's operations in the region have caused the Eilat port to shut down.
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A Yemeni soldier stands on board the Israeli Galaxy ship which was seized by Ansar Allah in the port of Salif, near Hodeidah, Yemen, May 12, 2024 (AP)
The Port of Eilat has been nearly closed since November due to Yemeni attacks on ships in the Red Sea, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported Sunday.
According to Ynet, the port's CEO, Gideon Golber, stated that the dire situation has left the administration with no choice but to start laying off 50 of the port's 110 employees next week.
Channel Kan 11 correspondent Itzik Schwartz highlighted the stark changes in the port's operations. "Anyone who has visited Eilat likely remembers seeing thousands of new cars parked here at the port. Now, there are vast empty spaces with only two cars," he said.
"For comparison, in November last year, shortly after the war began, there were 50,000 cars throughout the port. Now, only a few cars remain, illustrating the significant impact on the city of Eilat," Zwartz added. "The port has lost 50 million shekels since the war began, leading to planned layoffs as there is no work."
The Israeli correspondent further emphasized, "Everything has come to a halt; no goods are arriving, no ships are docking. The Yemenis have completely cut off the maritime route to Eilat, causing anger among the residents who believe preemptive measures should have been taken."
Golber also revealed the operational management's readiness to lay off several workers this week.
The Israeli official had previously urged the government during a meeting of the Knesset's Economic Affairs Committee to provide financial assistance to the port of Eilat, separate from loans that would require repayment later.
"The port has been non-operational for eight months due to attacks, meaning it has no revenue," he stressed.
Golber called for immediate government intervention, stressing that the port's closure was not due to mismanagement but because coalition countries in the Red Sea "have lost control over it."
He also mentioned that the Committee deliberated on the port of Eilat's situation, acknowledging that Yemen has effectively blocked shipping to it.
