The file photo shows a cargo ship belonging Hong Kong-based container line OOCL.

Cairo, December 18 (RHC)-- Hong Kong-based shipping giant Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) says it has stopped delivering cargo to the Israeli regime, amid repeated warnings by the Yemeni army that it will prevent the passage of all ships bound to the occupied territories in the Red Sea in support of the Gaza Strip.

The shipping company OOCL announced the decision in a statement on Saturday, two days after the Yemeni army targeted two Israeli-bound container ships in waters off the country’s coast.   “OOCL will stop cargo acceptance to and from Israel with immediate effect until further notice,” the shipping company said, citing operational issues.

The Yemeni Army has conducted several such attacks against Israel-bound ships in recent weeks in support Palestinians who are under brutal attacks by the occupying regime.

Yemen has vowed they will continue with their attacks until Israel stops its onslaught against Gaza, reiterating that they will only target ships heading to Israeli ports, and all the other ships bound for other ports can freely move in waters near the country.

The Yemeni Army says it has targeted two container ships in waters off the country’s coast, the latest of their operations to support Palestinians who are under brutal attacks by Israel.   Reports have shown that Israeli shipping companies have already decided to reroute their vessels in fear of attacks by Yemeni forces.

Earlier, Eliezer Marum, Former Commander in Chief of the Israeli Navy, said that 95% of Israel's imported and exported goods pass through the Red Sea, admitting that “Yemen has imposed a naval blockade on us.”

Israeli media have already reported that Yemen’s prevention of ships passing through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait means that ships have to travel 13,000 kilometers to reach Israeli ports.  This means a delay of several weeks in the delivery of cargo to the Israeli regime, the media said, adding that in addition to increasing the distance, it will result in additional shipping costs and an increase in the price of the cargoes.

The Yemeni army has warned that it will prevent the passage of all ships bound to the occupied territories in the Red Sea, stressing that they will become a legitimate target if they pass the country’s territorial waters.
The Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a relentless military campaign against Gaza in early October.

Yemeni forces have also launched missile and drone attacks on targets in the Israeli-occupied territories of Palestine after the occupying regime’s aggression on Gaza.