Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has vowed to inflict the 10 biblical plagues of Egypt on Yemen’s Houthi rebels in response to their intensified missile attacks on Israel. The threat was issued on social media, amid reports of a new missile launch from Yemen.
“The Houthis are firing missiles at Israel again. A plague of darkness, a plague of the firstborn – we will complete all 10 plagues,” Katz wrote in Hebrew on X.
This statement comes after the Israeli military confirmed that a missile launched from Yemen landed outside Israeli territory on Thursday, barely 24 hours after intercepting two others mid-air.
Israel has responded with multiple retaliatory strikes on Houthi-controlled regions, including Sanaa, the capital, and strategic ports under rebel control.
The Houthis, backed by Iran, have vowed to escalate their strikes following the killing of their Prime Minister, Ahmed Ghaleb al-Rahawi, and 11 senior figures in Israeli air raids last week.
Since the Gaza conflict reignited in October 2023, the group has launched waves of drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel, framing their actions as solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
The Houthis have also targeted international shipping in the Red Sea, a vital route for global trade, prompting the United States to launch a concerted series of attacks on Houthi-occupied parts of Yemen earlier this year.
In May, Oman brokered a ceasefire between the US and Houthis, leading Washington to halt its daily bombing campaign. However, the group has continued to launch attacks against Israel, stating that the agreement does not cover operations against the country.
In response to the Houthi attacks, Israel has carried out several rounds of strikes in Yemen, targeting Houthi-held ports and the rebel-held capital, Sanaa.
A week ago, an Israeli air strike killed al-Rahawi, nine of his ministers, and two other Houthi representatives. The Houthis have condemned the killing, vowing to continue their support for Gaza “no matter the sacrifices”.
The threat by Israel Katz refers to the 10 disasters inflicted on Egypt by the Hebrew God to convince the pharaoh to free the enslaved Israelites, as described in the Bible’s Book of Exodus.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Houthis has led to a significant escalation in violence, with both sides suffering losses.
The international community remains concerned about the impact of the conflict on regional stability and global trade. The US has been actively involved in efforts to broker a ceasefire, while also providing military support to Israel.
The situation remains volatile, with both sides dug in and determined to achieve their objectives.
As the conflict continues, civilians on both sides are bearing the brunt of the violence. The Houthis have been accused of targeting civilian areas in Israel, while Israel’s strikes in Yemen have resulted in significant civilian casualties.
The international community has called for restraint and a return to negotiations, but so far, neither side appears willing to back down.