Israel Warns Houthis of ‘10 Plagues’ Retaliation After Fresh Missile Strikes
Tensions between Israel and Yemen’s Houthi rebels deepened on Thursday as Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a fiery warning, vowing retaliation of biblical proportions after a new wave of missile launches.
Katz, writing on X, declared: “The Houthis are firing missiles at Israel again. A plague of darkness, a plague of the firstborn we will complete all ten plagues.” His reference to the ancient story of Exodus underscored both the seriousness of the threat and Israel’s readiness to escalate its response.
The statement followed a series of missile attacks that saw three projectiles launched from Yemen toward Israel within a 24-hour span. Two were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, including one fitted with a cluster munition warhead. A third landed in an open area without causing casualties. Military officials stressed that while damage was avoided, the frequency and intensity of the attacks reflect the Houthis’ determination to keep pressure on Israel.
The uptick in hostilities comes less than a week after Israel carried out a deadly strike in Sanaa on August 28, killing Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and several senior officials during a government meeting. The attack was one of the most significant blows dealt to the rebel leadership in recent years and has triggered a wave of retaliatory missile and drone launches by the Houthis.
The Yemeni group, backed by Iran, has framed its campaign as an act of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza, but its strikes have also disrupted shipping in the Red Sea, raising international concerns over global trade routes. Israel, in turn, has intensified its strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen while signaling a willingness to broaden its military campaign.
By invoking the “ten plagues” of Egypt, Katz sought to project strength and deterrence, but the warning also hinted at the risk of a sharp escalation in a conflict already spilling across borders. Analysts say Israel may feel compelled to respond with even greater force if missile fire continues, while the Houthis appear equally determined to demonstrate resilience after losing top leaders.
As the situation stands, the exchanges have drawn in regional and global powers worried about both the stability of the Red Sea and the possibility of a wider Middle Eastern confrontation. For now, Israel’s rhetoric suggests that its patience is thinning, and the Houthis remain undeterred in their campaign of defiance.
