Yemen’s Houthis announced the killing of their Chief of Staff, Muhammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari, one of the group’s top military leaders, saying he died “while fulfilling his duties.”

Israel claimed responsibility, with Defense Minister Israel Katz confirming al-Ghamari was targeted in an Israeli strike.

The Houthis vowed retaliation, stating Israel will “receive its deterrent punishment” for its actions.

The strike comes six days into a fragile US-backed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, amid ongoing Houthi drone and missile attacks against Israel in solidarity with Palestinians, Al-Jazeera has reported.

In response to Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes, the U.S. and U.K. have also conducted strikes on Houthi sites in Yemen.