A second threat in 24 hours targets Israel’s main airport, mimicking the IDF’s Arabic warning tactics

The Houthi rebels in Yemen have issued a fresh threat to strike Israel’s main international airport, warning civilians and airlines to evacuate Ben-Gurion Airport “immediately”. This marks their second threat within 24 hours, further escalating tensions between the Iran-backed group and Israel.

In a bold move on Monday, the Houthis published a map showing the location of the airport, mimicking evacuation notices issued by IDF Arabic spokesperson Lt. Col. Avichay Adraee in recent weeks. The warning follows a growing trend where the Houthis appear to copy Israel’s psychological warfare tactics—adapting them into their own campaign of intimidation.

“Evacuate immediately,” senior Houthi official Nasr al-Din Amer posted on X (formerly Twitter), alongside an image of Ben-Gurion Airport. “In the coming hours, Yemeni forces will carry out military operations against Ben-Gurion and other Zionist airports.”

The message mirrored the tone of Adraee’s warnings to Yemenis, which often caution civilians to leave areas the IDF believes are used by terrorist organisations. But this time, the Houthis turned the narrative back on Israel, even warning foreign airlines to abandon Ben-Gurion entirely.

“They should change course and take seriously the warnings of the Yemeni military,” a Houthi source told Hezbollah-aligned Al Mayadeen. “Our goal is to establish a no-fly zone, not just over Ben-Gurion, but over all of Israeli airspace.”

Overnight, at 2:02 a.m., the Houthis launched a missile targeting central Israel. The projectile was intercepted mid-air, but air raid sirens rang out from Netanya to the Shfela region. Flights at Ben-Gurion were briefly suspended, causing delays across arrivals and departures.

This attack follows a Houthi missile strike several weeks ago that reached the vicinity of the airport—an unprecedented move by the Yemeni group. In response, the IDF launched three retaliatory airstrikes on Houthi positions inside Yemen. These tit-for-tat exchanges have sparked fears of a wider regional conflagration.

The Houthis justify their operations as retaliation for Israel’s war in Gaza and recent Israeli strikes on Yemen. Amer declared that the attacks were part of Yemen’s decision to impose an “air blockade” on Ben-Gurion and other Israeli airfields. He also referenced their ongoing naval blockade of Eilat port, vowing it would continue until Israel halts its Gaza operations and lifts its siege.

Adraee, a prominent figure in Israel’s psychological operations across the Middle East, has seen his Arabic-language broadcasts go viral in recent months. Once known primarily in Palestinian territories, his warnings now resonate in Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon, where adversaries are closely watching his rhetoric. Many observers noted that the Houthis’ latest communication was unmistakably modelled by his format.

The IDF has not officially commented on the latest threats, but security around the airport remains tight. With tensions at a boiling point, Israeli defence officials remain on high alert.

Meanwhile, foreign airlines are once again reviewing their flight schedules. Several international carriers already pulled out of Israel last month amid a flurry of regional attacks. The Houthis’ renewed threats could further isolate Israel’s air travel network.

As missiles fly and warnings grow more brazen, Ben-Gurion Airport—long a symbol of Israel’s global connectivity—has now become a frontline target in an increasingly regionalised conflict. And with the Houthis doubling down on their rhetoric, many fear this is only the beginning.