Israeli Defense Minister Threatens Houthi Leader: “Your Turn Will Come”

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant issued a direct threat on Friday to the leader of Yemen’s Houthi group, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, amid escalating mutual attacks between the two sides.

Gallant wrote in a post on the platform “X”: “Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, your turn will come,” adding, “You will be sent to meet your government members,” referring to recent strikes targeting Houthi leaders. He also hinted at replacing the Houthis’ slogan “Death to Israel” with the Israeli flag being raised over Yemen’s capital.

This escalation follows the Israeli army’s announcement on Thursday that it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, while a drone struck the southern Israeli city of Eilat. The military stated that the Air Force also intercepted a second drone approaching from the east, while the Houthis claimed responsibility for carrying out “three military operations” targeting Israel.

Israel has recently intensified its airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, including the capital Sana’a and the port city of Hodeidah. One of these strikes reportedly killed the group’s prime minister and several ministers in August, according to Israeli reports.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, the Houthis have doubled their rocket and drone attacks towards Israel, as well as targeting commercial ships they claim are linked to Israel off Yemen’s coast, while Israel continues to respond with air raids targeting Houthi sites.