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Israeli report: Eilat railway project not viable under Yemeni blockade

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 20 August 2025 9:39 AM

The naval blockade imposed by Yemen's military forces has undermined the economic viability of a planned railway project to connect the port city of Eilat with the central and northern parts of the occupied Palestinian territories, an Israeli newspaper reveals.

Hebrew-language daily business newspaper The Marker said on Tuesday that the repercussions of the Yemeni blockade, which has completely shut down the port of Eilat since the beginning of Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip in October 2023, extend beyond halting trade to diminishing Israeli infrastructure projects.

The report underlined that implementing the railway project depends on the Israeli cabinet's approval to finance it as construction preparations alone would take two years, while its completion could require at least a full decade, at a time that the regime's railway contractor is already suffering from major malfunctions.

"The feasibility study for the train line to Eilat was based on several factors, including the transport of goods to and from the southern port, and that given the near-total closure of the port since the beginning of the war due to the naval blockade imposed by the Yemenis on the Red Sea, the benefit that will arise from the expensive project will be much less than planned," the newspaper said.

"The economic feasibility of the line is questionable, and the project is difficult to implement," it added. "Construction work is expected to take at least a decade, and is expected to be carried out under sensitive conditions, as environmental organizations will oppose the damage to nature reserves, wildlife areas, and water flow."

Last weekend, the Israeli transport minister, Miri Regev, described Eilat's railway connectivity plan as a "historic step" and said the project was forging ahead at a rapid pace.

"A historic step to connect Israel from Kiryat Shmona to Eilat via railways is crystallizing, and we are progressing at a rapid pace, and everything will be connected soon, only in this way will we alleviate road congestion and improve communication and connectivity throughout the [occupied territories]," Regev said in a statement.

"The project is expected to significantly increase the volume of goods transported to and from Eilat port, provide a fast and safe alternative to land transport, reduce truck and heavy vehicle traffic volumes, and improve safety levels on southern roads."

The spokesperson for Yemen's Armed Forces announced on July 28 the launch of the fourth phase of their naval siege against the Israeli regime, vowing to target all ships connected to companies that trade with the illegal entity until the Zionist regime ends its brutal aggression and blockade on Gaza.

"From now on, any ship affiliated with these companies, regardless of its destination, will be considered a legitimate target for our missiles and drones wherever they may be," Brigadier General Yahya Saree warned.

He added that the continuation of these operations reflects Yemen's moral and humanitarian duty toward the oppressed people of Palestine.

Since the onset of Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, Yemen's forces have carried out scores of operations in support of the war-hit Gazans, striking targets throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, in addition to targeting Israeli ships or vessels heading towards ports in the occupied territories.

The regime's bloody onslaught on Gaza has killed more than 62,000 Palestinians and injured upwards of 156,500 others, mostly children and women.