Behind the Scenes of Eilat’s Rescue: Israel Banks on a New Arab Alliance

NYN | Reports and Analyses 

On Monday, the Israeli newspaper Calcalist revealed extensive diplomatic efforts led by the administration of the Port of Eilat, aimed at forming an Arab and international pressure front against Sanaa, in an attempt to end the maritime blockade imposed on the southern Israeli port.

According to the newspaper, the Port of Eilat remains shut down, as shipping companies continue to refuse passage through the Red Sea toward the port. This has caused an almost complete paralysis of maritime trade in the region, while the Israeli government has yet to take any concrete steps to address the crisis.

As part of its efforts to break the blockade, the port administration reportedly contacted the U.S. Embassy, requesting that the blockade issue be included in the agenda of the upcoming Sharm El-Sheikh Agreement. The administration is also working to open communication channels with the Egyptian government to coordinate a joint Arab and international position to pressure Sanaa to lift the blockade.

The newspaper stated that port officials submitted a request to the Israeli Maritime Transport Authority to recruit specialized international agencies to assist in managing the blockade. They expressed hope that these moves would lead to a Yemeni announcement allowing vessels to pass and resuming maritime operations at the port.

These efforts come amid rising tensions in the Red Sea, growing fears over the blockade’s impact on regional trade, and calls for urgent international intervention to guarantee freedom of navigation in vital maritime corridors.