Israeli defence minister threatens ‘death of firstborns’ in Yemen

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has threatened to escalate attacks against Yemen’s Houthis after the group fired three missiles towards Israel this week in retaliation at Israeli strikes.

Katz posted on X, referencing biblical plagues, and warned that Israel would bring “the plague of darkness” and “the plague of the death of the firstborns” upon the Houthis. He added that Israel would “complete all ten plagues” against the group.

The warning comes after missiles were launched from Yemen on Wednesday and Thursday, which is the latest in a string of Houthi operations against Israel and in the Red Sea. 

The group sank two tankers in July and has pledged to continue targeting Israel-linked shipping as part of its declared support for Palestinians and opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza.