Israeli authorities are examining the media report. Cargo ships in the Red Sea are repeatedly attacked by Yemeni Houthi rebels who have declared their solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
According to a media report, Chinese shipping company Cosco is suspending its shipments to Israel. The report by Israeli financial news portal Globes does not provide any details or justification for this. Cosco's office in Israel declined to comment. The Israel Port Authority only said it was reviewing the report.
In the Red Sea, which Israel has access to through the port city of Eilat, cargo ships are repeatedly attacked by Yemeni Houthi rebels. According to the US Department of Defense, more than a hundred drones and missiles were fired. Many shipping companies, such as the Danish Maersk, therefore avoid the extremely important shipping route through the Red Sea and opt for the much longer and therefore more expensive route around the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa.
US warship shoots down Houthi drone
On Saturday, a US warship again shot down a drone launched by Yemen's Houthi militia over the Red Sea, according to US forces. None of the “several” merchant ships in the area were damaged, U.S. Central Command Centcom said. There are also no reports of injuries.
The Red Sea is a central trade route through which up to twelve percent of world trade passes. Yemen is located in the Bab-al-Mandeb Strait, between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. To protect merchant shipping, the United States announced the formation of an international military coalition.
“Axis of Resistance” directed against Israel
The Houthis consider themselves part of the self-proclaimed “Axis of Resistance” directed against Israel. In addition to Hamas, this also includes the Shia Islamic militia Hezbollah in Lebanon. (APA/Portal/red.)