Escalating Conflict: Hezbollah Fires Rockets at Northern Israel
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Hezbollah launched over 100 rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel on Sunday, with some landing near the city of Haifa. This unprecedented attack has raised alarms, as it marks a shift from previous engagements that primarily targeted military installations. The Israeli military reported that the rockets hit civilian areas, prompting air raid sirens across the region and resulting in injuries, including a 76-year-old man who suffered moderate wounds from shrapnel. Buildings were damaged, and vehicles caught fire, although it remains unclear if the injuries were caused by the rockets or Israeli interceptors.
This barrage follows an Israeli airstrike in Beirut that killed at least 37 individuals, including a prominent Hezbollah leader and several civilians. The airstrike was part of Israel's ongoing campaign against Hezbollah, which has intensified since the onset of the Gaza war nearly a year ago. The Israeli military claims to have targeted 400 militant sites in southern Lebanon within 24 hours, including rocket launchers. In a related action, Israeli forces raided the West Bank office of Al Jazeera, which has been accused of acting as a mouthpiece for armed groups.
Tensions Rise Amid Ongoing Hostilities
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has been fueled by low-level fighting since the Gaza war began, with both sides suffering casualties. Israeli media reported that rockets fired from Lebanon on Sunday were intercepted in areas further south than previous attacks, leading to the cancellation of classes across northern Israel and creating a heightened sense of crisis.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the rocket fire, stating it targeted Israeli military production facilities in retaliation for recent Israeli strikes that had damaged its communications infrastructure. The group emphasized that its actions were a response to the death of civilians in these attacks, which included women and children. The situation remains volatile, with both parties seemingly unwilling to pursue a ceasefire, even as international negotiations continue to falter.
