Hezbollah Rockets Rain Down on Northern Israel as Conflict Intensifies
In a dramatic escalation of violence, Hezbollah launched over 100 rockets early Sunday, targeting a wide swath of northern Israel, including areas near the city of Haifa. This aggressive move, combined with Israel’s intensified strikes on Lebanon, is pushing the situation, already strained by months of tension, towards a full-scale war with alarming speed.
Fatal Strikes and Escalating Tensions
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported one death and one injury from Israeli strikes near the border as the violence took its toll on civilians. The latest rocket barrage follows an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday that killed at least 45 people, including a high-ranking Hezbollah leader. The attack also claimed the lives of women and children, adding to the mounting civilian casualties and worsening the humanitarian crisis.
In response, Hezbollah launched dozens of missiles, including new weapons like the Fadi 1 and Fadi 2, aimed at Israel’s Ramat David airbase. The strikes were part of Hezbollah’s retaliation for Israeli actions, including a recent incident where thousands of personal devices belonging to the group’s members exploded in a suspected Israeli attack. Israel has not commented on the explosions, which left dozens dead and thousands wounded.
Israeli Military Response
The Israeli military reported that it had conducted extensive airstrikes across southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours, hitting around 400 militant targets, including rocket launchers. According to Israeli officials, the strikes were aimed at preventing even larger attacks on Israeli soil.
Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, said, “Hundreds of thousands of civilians have come under fire across northern Israel. Today, we saw fire that reached deeper into Israel than before.”
Israel also intercepted aerial devices allegedly launched from Iraq by Iran-backed militants, marking another escalation in the regional conflict.
Hospitals Move to Shelters
As rockets continued to rain down, Israel’s Health Ministry announced that hospitals in northern Israel would begin relocating operations to protected areas and shelters. The intensifying violence has prompted widespread evacuations and school closures, heightening the sense of crisis.
West Bank Raids and Hezbollah’s Threats
In a related development, Israeli forces raided the West Bank bureau of Al-Jazeera, which had been banned earlier this year. Israel accuses the broadcaster of serving as a platform for militant groups, though Al-Jazeera denies the allegations.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, has vowed further retaliation, citing Israeli strikes that targeted its members. The group has refrained from targeting major Israeli cities like Tel Aviv. However, in recent weeks, the conflict has expanded beyond Gaza, with Israel now focusing more on its northern border.
Longstanding Conflict with No Clear End
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is closely tied to the broader war in Gaza, which began nearly a year ago when Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel. Since then, Hezbollah has been firing rockets in solidarity with the Palestinians, leading to a low-level conflict that has claimed hundreds of lives in both Lebanon and Israel.
Although neither side appears to be seeking all-out war, the prospects for peace remain dim, with ceasefire talks led by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar repeatedly stalling. Hezbollah has made it clear that it will only halt its attacks if a ceasefire is reached in Gaza, but such an agreement seems increasingly out of reach.
Civilian Casualties and Hostages
The violence has exacted a heavy toll on civilians on both sides of the border. Israel’s recent airstrike on Beirut, which destroyed an eight-story building, killed at least seven women and three children, in addition to the Hezbollah members in the building’s basement. Lebanese authorities report that over 60 people were wounded, with many still missing.
On the Israeli side, families of hostages taken during Hamas’ initial attack last year have expressed fears that the conflict in the north will further delay negotiations for their release. Hamas continues to hold around 100 hostages, complicating an already fragile situation.
Looking Ahead
As the conflict deepens, both Israel and Hezbollah show no signs of backing down. Israel’s military efforts are increasingly concentrated on Lebanon, while Hezbollah continues its rocket attacks and threats of retaliation. With international ceasefire efforts faltering and civilian casualties mounting, the path to peace seems distant, leaving the region in a state of unpredictable tension, teetering on the edge of an all-out war.