Bank of Israel research found that the blockade of the Bab al Mandab strait has done minimal damage to international trade and has hardly affected Israel. Shipping prices have risen, but these increases have moderated dramatically in the past six months due to the impressive flexibility of the global system and effective resource diversion by shipping companies. Trade has been diverted to alternative routes, mainly circumnavigating Africa's Cape of Good Hope, and although the route takes longer and consumes more fuel, it has been a sufficient alternative to minimize the effects. Israel, which is in fact the Houthis' main target, has hardly been affected.