The Houthis of the Yemeni rebel Ansar Allah movement have planned to implement a complete air blockade of Israel by striking the Jewish state's airports, said Yahya Sarea, the military spokesman for the Houthi rebels.

"In response to Israel's decision to expand its aggressive operation in the Gaza Strip, the armed forces say they will work towards a complete air blockade of the Israeli enemy by striking multiple airports; first and foremost the Lod Airport, known in Israel as the Ben Gurion Airport," Sarea said on the air of rebel-controlled Al Masirah television.

Also, the Ansar Allah military spokesman called on the airlines to "take note of this announcement from the moment it is made public and cancel all flights to enemy airports to ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers."