Houthis issue 'Israeli-style evacuation warnings' before bombing Tel Aviv

The Houthis are now issuing public evacuation warnings ahead of missile strikes on Israel, mimicking tactics long used by the Israeli military in their assault on Yemen.

In a notable shift in strategy, the group has released multiple warnings over the past 24 hours urging civilians to evacuate areas around Ben Gurion International Airport before missiles from Yemen targeted the Tel Aviv facility.

The Yemeni rebel group has also marked targeted locations and called on foreign nationals and airlines to leave Israel's main airport for their safety.

This development follows the most recent confirmed Houthi attack on Ben Gurion Airport on 14 May, when the group claimed it launched a hypersonic ballistic missile that struck the facility and disrupted flight operations for around an hour.

It was the third time the airport had been targeted in less than 24 hours.

The Houthis said the attacks were in support of Palestinians and warned attacks would continue unless Israel halted its brutal onslaught on Gaza and lifted the siege on the enclave.

While the Israeli military did not publicly comment on the 14 May incident, earlier strikes, such as the one on 4 May, resulted in significant damage and casualties.

That missile landed near the main terminal, injuring eight people, damaging airport infrastructure, and prompting major airlines to cancel or suspend flights.

The Houthis's warnings now closely resemble Israeli military evacuation notices, including the use of aerial imagery and social media alerts, and signal an attempt to draw parallels between Israeli and Houthi conduct during wartime.

It will also likely spread panic during the strikes in areas targeted by Houthi missiles.

The group says its actions are retaliatory and intended to impose an “air blockade” on Israel’s airports, declaring that all flights into Israeli airspace are now considered unsafe.