On Wednesday, Hezbollah launched over 250 rockets into Israel, marking the most extensive single-day rocket assault since the conflict’s onset in October. This attack came in retaliation for an Israeli strike that resulted in the death of Sami Taleb Abdullah, a senior Hezbollah commander, along with three other fighters. The rockets reached as far south as Tiberias, expanding the conflict’s geographical scope.
The escalation began with an Israeli airstrike in the village of Jouaiya in southern Lebanon late Tuesday night, targeting a command center where Abdullah, Hezbollah’s commander for the central region of the southern border, was present. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating it successfully neutralized the high-ranking commander and his associates. This incident has triggered a series of aggressive responses from Hezbollah.
Following the attack, Hezbollah executed at least 17 operations against Israeli targets, including missile strikes on military facilities and bases. Among these, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli military headquarters in Ein Zeitim and Ami’ad, as well as an air surveillance station in Meron. The largest barrage involved over 100 rockets launched simultaneously, a scale of attack not seen since the conflict’s escalation eight months ago.
During Abdullah’s funeral in the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut, senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine vowed increased retaliatory measures against Israel. Safieddine’s remarks suggested that Hezbollah would escalate both the intensity and frequency of their attacks in response to Abdullah’s killing.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded swiftly, targeting Hezbollah rocket launch sites in southern Lebanon. IDF fighter jets conducted strikes on launch sites, while artillery units shelled additional positions. The IDF reported that many rockets fell in open areas, with some intercepted by Israel’s defense systems. However, several rockets did manage to land, sparking fires across northern Israel.
No Israeli casualties were reported, but the attacks did result in significant fire outbreaks in various regions, keeping emergency services occupied. The ongoing exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel has also resulted in considerable casualties and damage on both sides. According to a Reuters tally, approximately 80 civilians have been killed in Lebanon due to the conflict, while Israel reports the loss of 18 soldiers and 10 civilians.
Hezbollah’s use of rocket fire and guided missiles highlights the group’s tactical capabilities and its intent to retaliate forcefully against Israeli actions. This recent barrage indicates an escalation in the conflict and raises concerns about a broader confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel, both of whom have been engaged in cross-border hostilities since the Gaza war’s outbreak in October.
The IDF claims to have killed over 320 Hezbollah fighters since the conflict began, including 100 targeted through precision intelligence operations. This number exceeds Hezbollah’s losses during the 2006 conflict with Israel, underscoring the heightened scale of the current hostilities.
In summary, the death of Sami Taleb Abdullah has triggered a severe escalation in the Hezbollah-Israel conflict, resulting in the largest rocket attack from Lebanon to date. With both sides intensifying their military actions, the region remains on high alert as the potential for further escalation looms. The continued exchange of fire and the significant loss of life underscore the ongoing volatility and the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
Red = Upper Galilee region in Israel.
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