Israel Vows Harsh Response to Houthi Attacks

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning on Thursday, promising to unleash the “10 plagues of Egypt” on Yemen’s Houthi rebels following a renewed wave of missile fire aimed at Israel.

“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 on X, invoking the biblical calamities described in the Book of Exodus as punishments delivered upon Egypt. His statement marked one of the most fiery responses yet to the Houthi campaign.

Missile Strikes and Escalation

The announcement came after the Israeli military reported that a missile launched from Yemen landed outside Israeli territory on Thursday morning. This followed the interception of two Houthi missiles just a day earlier.

In Yemen, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, saying their forces had aimed a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. While Israel confirmed multiple launches, it did not report any casualties or major damage from the recent strikes.

Rising Tensions Since Gaza War

The Houthis, supported by Iran, have repeatedly targeted Israel with drones and missiles since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. The group frames its campaign as part of its solidarity with Palestinians, a narrative it has used to justify attacks on Israeli cities and strategic sites.

This latest escalation comes just a week after Israeli airstrikes in Yemen killed the Houthis’ prime minister and 11 senior officials, a strike that has further inflamed hostilities. Houthi leaders have since vowed to intensify their operations against Israel.

Israel’s Retaliatory Strikes in Yemen

In response, Israel has carried out several rounds of airstrikes deep inside Yemen, targeting infrastructure critical to Houthi operations. Among the sites hit were ports, power facilities, and Sanaa’s international airport, which remains under rebel control.

Military analysts suggest the Houthis’ long-range capabilities pose an ongoing challenge to Israel’s air defense systems, stretching its missile interception networks already under strain from northern fronts with Hezbollah.

What This Means

Katz’s reference to biblical plagues underscores Israel’s intent to escalate its campaign against the Houthis beyond limited retaliatory strikes. The rhetoric also highlights the increasingly regional scope of the Gaza conflict, which has drawn in Iran-backed groups from Lebanon to Yemen.

Whether the Houthis can maintain their missile barrage remains uncertain, but Israel’s warning signals that further escalation in the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula is likely in the weeks ahead.

With both sides hardening their positions, the conflict risks widening beyond Israel’s immediate borders — adding Yemen to an already volatile regional battlefield.