Israeli Ports Closed after Missile Attacks by Hamas
Rockets are launched from Gaza City, controlled by the Palestinian Hamas movement, towards Israel early on May 15, 2021. - Israel faced a widening conflict on May 14, as deadly violence erupted across the West Bank amid a massive aerial bombardment in Gaza and unprecedented unrest among Arabs and Jews inside the country. (Photo by MAHMUD HAMS / AFP)
(FleetMon) There are speculations that the Israeli ports may have been closed after missile attacks by the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad who are backed by Iran.
Global risk analyst firm Dryad Global revealed that the Israel-Palestine conflict has crept into the maritime sector, and social media posts from various outlets confirmed the same.
Two Israeli ports, namely Ashdod and Ashkelon had to be closed after rocket attacks on port infrastructure as well as other port complexes in the region, reports FleetMon online..
During occasional skirmishes between countries or in wartime, some of the first infrastructures that get attacked are ports and airports, as they form the key backbone of the logistics as well as the gateway to a country as a whole.
Iran backed Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), with the former controlling Gaza, has reportedly been firing around 2,000 rockets towards Israel, where since violence broke out in the Israeli capital of Jerusalem.
Many of the rockets were fired towards Tel Aviv and were intercepted by Israel’s domestic air defense system- the Iron Dome. However, some of the rockets slipped past the air defense system- which has a proven success rate of over 80 percent, and attacked vital Israeli port infrastructures in the Ashdod and Ashkelon area.
“Port and energy infrastructure are at this stage assessed to be proxy targets with any damage resulting from the indiscriminate nature of attacks; however such targets are known to be part of the wider strategic intent of Hamas and the PIJ,” reported Dryad Global on the situation.
Locals released footage on various social media platforms, which showcased the impact of the missiles on the Israeli port of Ashdod, with widespread damage. The footage also shows MONA (IMO: 9101534) and AHMET ONEL (IMO: 8420361), the former a Maltese and the latter a Panama flagged vessel nearly being hit by the rockets.
In a separate incident, the military wing of Hamas- the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigade, has declared that they have bombed an Israeli Gas Platform off Gaza, which has been continuing to burn ever since.
Dryad spoke on the incidents and what it means from a maritime point of view: “It is assessed that there is no stated intent to target wider commercial shipping” and that Hamas intends to target the economic interests of Israel wherever possible’.
According to FleetMon online no industry agency reported ports suspending their operations, including GAG. According to ships ARR/DEP lists, Ashdod port is open and working, with ships arriving, performing cargo operations, and departing. Ashkelon is mainly, a marina, with oil terminal located to the south of the city.
Industry outlets reported that above-mentioned ports have been closed, on May 14, May 17 and later, adding up to the confusion. If they’re closed, why do the ships arrive and depart?
Global risk analyst firm Dryad Global revealed that the Israel-Palestine conflict has crept into the maritime sector, and social media posts from various outlets confirmed the same.
Two Israeli ports, namely Ashdod and Ashkelon had to be closed after rocket attacks on port infrastructure as well as other port complexes in the region, reports FleetMon online..
During occasional skirmishes between countries or in wartime, some of the first infrastructures that get attacked are ports and airports, as they form the key backbone of the logistics as well as the gateway to a country as a whole.
Iran backed Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), with the former controlling Gaza, has reportedly been firing around 2,000 rockets towards Israel, where since violence broke out in the Israeli capital of Jerusalem.
Many of the rockets were fired towards Tel Aviv and were intercepted by Israel’s domestic air defense system- the Iron Dome. However, some of the rockets slipped past the air defense system- which has a proven success rate of over 80 percent, and attacked vital Israeli port infrastructures in the Ashdod and Ashkelon area.
“Port and energy infrastructure are at this stage assessed to be proxy targets with any damage resulting from the indiscriminate nature of attacks; however such targets are known to be part of the wider strategic intent of Hamas and the PIJ,” reported Dryad Global on the situation.
Locals released footage on various social media platforms, which showcased the impact of the missiles on the Israeli port of Ashdod, with widespread damage. The footage also shows MONA (IMO: 9101534) and AHMET ONEL (IMO: 8420361), the former a Maltese and the latter a Panama flagged vessel nearly being hit by the rockets.
In a separate incident, the military wing of Hamas- the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigade, has declared that they have bombed an Israeli Gas Platform off Gaza, which has been continuing to burn ever since.
Dryad spoke on the incidents and what it means from a maritime point of view: “It is assessed that there is no stated intent to target wider commercial shipping” and that Hamas intends to target the economic interests of Israel wherever possible’.
According to FleetMon online no industry agency reported ports suspending their operations, including GAG. According to ships ARR/DEP lists, Ashdod port is open and working, with ships arriving, performing cargo operations, and departing. Ashkelon is mainly, a marina, with oil terminal located to the south of the city.
Industry outlets reported that above-mentioned ports have been closed, on May 14, May 17 and later, adding up to the confusion. If they’re closed, why do the ships arrive and depart?
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