Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has issued a stern warning to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, vowing to unleash the ten biblical plagues of Egypt in retaliation for their continued missile attacks. The statement was made on social media amid reports that the Iran-backed Houthi group has intensified strikes against Israel following the assassination of Yemen’s Prime Minister Ahmed Ghaleb al-Rahawi and several senior officials.
Katz stated in Hebrew that the Houthis’ missile attacks will be met with a full range of biblical plagues, including darkness and the firstborn plague, underscoring the severity of Israel’s response as tensions escalate. The Israeli military confirmed that a missile fired from Yemen recently landed outside its territory, while two additional missiles were intercepted the day before.
The Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for a missile attack targeting the Israeli-owned tanker Scarlet Ray in the Red Sea. These attacks are reportedly in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, which began in October 2023. The Houthis control significant regions of Yemen and have previously targeted international shipping routes vital for global trade, prompting a U.S. military campaign earlier this year. A temporary ceasefire was brokered by Oman in May, pausing U.S. strikes; however, the agreement did not cover attacks on Israel, which continue.
Israel has conducted a series of airstrikes on Houthi positions, targeting ports and the rebel-held capital, Sanaa. A week ago, an airstrike killed Prime Minister al-Rahawi along with nine ministers and two Houthi representatives. The group has maintained that Israeli attacks will not deter its support for the Palestinians.
The reference to the ten plagues draws from the Book of Exodus in the Bible, which describes divine punishments inflicted on Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the enslaved Israelites. In this context, Katz’s statement is intended to emphasize the magnitude of Israel’s planned response to Houthi aggression.
The escalating conflict demonstrates the Houthis’ growing capability in drone and missile warfare, as well as the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region. Analysts note that the group’s operations in the Red Sea and its coordination with broader regional dynamics continue to pose a threat to shipping lanes and regional stability.
Observers have highlighted that these developments could further complicate the already volatile situation in Yemen, where ongoing humanitarian crises persist alongside military confrontations.
International actors, including the United States and Oman, have attempted mediation, but Houthi-Israeli clashes remain unmitigated. The situation underscores the challenges of regional security and the complex intersection of local conflicts with global strategic interests.
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