A report by the British website “Middle East Eye” reveals the dilemma faced by Israel due to Yemeni operations in support of Gaza.
The report emphasizes that Yemeni operations in the Red Sea have thwarted Israeli attempts to persuade international insurance companies to provide coverage for ships heading to ports in the occupied territories.
According to the website, global insurance companies are hesitant to offer coverage for vessels bound for Israeli ports due to the growing threat posed by Sana’a forces to maritime traffic heading to the occupied territories.
The report highlights that “recent attacks on the Magic Seas and Eternity C – two Liberian-flagged commercial vessels owned by Greek companies – resulted in significant operational losses after the American company Travelers refused to renew war risk coverage, costing operators an estimated twenty million dollars.”
It noted that Israel attempted to open communication channels with insurance companies to persuade them to provide coverage. However, the fear of impending strikes from the Red Sea has made international companies avoid the risk, forcing commercial vessels to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope, despite the increased distance and exorbitant cost.
A shipping source told “Middle East Eye” that “there is a big discussion in the market right now about whether insurance companies should cover ships with indirect links to Israel.”
A maritime security official informed the website that ships would begin to avoid contact with Israeli ports, pointing out that the issue is not about being hit by the Yemenis, but rather the chance of being uninsured.
The website quoted a maritime official who stated that the problem is not only related to the missiles and drones used by Sana’a forces, but also the lack of trust among international companies in the Western maritime protection system. Simply having a second or third-degree connection to Israel has become grounds for insurance cancellation.
