Hezbollah's Recent Attack on Northern Israel
The largest missile attack by Lebanese Hezbollah on northern Israel has been widely discussed on social media platforms. This assault, the most significant since the onset of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip on October 7th, was a response to the assassination of Talib Sami Abdullah. Talib was a prominent military leader within Hezbollah, killed by the Israeli occupation army in a raid on his home in the southern Lebanon town of Joya, two days ago.
In retaliation, Hezbollah launched over 215 rockets and shells from southern Lebanon targeting various regions, including the Galilee, northern Jordan Valley, Golan, Shebaa Farms, and Kfar Shuba Hills. According to Israeli army radio, the army intercepted most of these missiles. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for targeting 19 Israeli sites, such as the 'Blasan' military industries factory, the Northern Corps Command headquarters, and the Air Operations Management Unit at Meron Base.
Impact and Reactions
The missile attacks led to several fires in northern Israel. Israeli media reported that over 30,000 square meters were engulfed in flames, endangering strategic installations. Efforts to extinguish the fires involved 21 firefighting brigades and eight aircraft.
Social media erupted with praise for Hezbollah and calls for expanded attacks on critical Israeli infrastructure. Some expressed hopes that Hezbollah would target airports, ports, and land supply routes next. Additionally, there were observations about the effectiveness of Hezbollah's precision weapons and the shortcomings of Israeli defenses, notably the Iron Dome.
In response, Israel executed air strikes around southern Lebanese towns, including Yater, Zibqin, Yaroun, Deir Saryan, and Wadi Saluki, and bombarded several other areas with incendiary shells. Footage from Israeli media showed soldiers using catapults to burn Lebanese lands, allegedly to discover and destroy Hezbollah sites.
Israeli spokesman David Mencer affirmed Israel's commitment to retaliate forcefully against Hezbollah’s aggression. He emphasized that Israel would employ both diplomatic efforts and military force to ensure northern border security.
Moreover, the United States has called for a 'de-escalation' of tensions along Israel's northern border to prevent a larger regional conflict. This follows a discussion between Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, highlighting the importance of avoiding an escalation amid increasing northern border activity.
Amid these escalations, the death toll in Gaza has reached 37,232, with 85,037 wounded, as reported by the Hamas Ministry of Health.
- Hamas has also requested changes to the US-proposed ceasefire by demanding the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and the release of 100 Palestinians with long sentences from Israeli prisons. The request comes against a backdrop of increased Israeli airstrikes that targeted and dismantled various terrorist facilities, including armed cells and rocket launchers in the Gaza Strip.
- The US has additionally positioned its Ford aircraft carrier to the Eastern Mediterranean, underscoring its commitment to de-escalation while supporting its allies in the region.
