Hezbollah strikes north Israel in retaliation for civilian attacks

Hezbollah launched an attack on northern Israel using missiles and explosive drones on Wednesday.

The backdrop to this aggression is ongoing cross-border exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, triggered by a significant attack from Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, which led to a conflict in the Gaza Strip.

In recent times, Hezbollah has intensified its assaults, claiming they are in support of Gaza and its ally, Hamas. In retaliation, Israel has extended its military operations deeper into Lebanon.

In a statement, Hezbollah declared that its recent strikes targeted Israeli military facilities in several locations including Metula, Shlomi, al-Manara, Hanita, and Avivim, as a reprisal for Israeli strikes on southern Lebanese villages and civilians.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces conducted air raids on forested areas in Aita al-Shaab and Ramia and shelled the peripheries of al-Naqoura, Kfarshouba, Halta, and Kfarhamam. In a further escalation, Hezbollah used suicide drones against an Israeli command center in Ya’ara, as well as targeting soldiers and surveillance installations at al-Raheb and Malkia posts. The Israeli military responded by bombing Blida, Yaroun, and al-Rihan, reportedly using white phosphorus. Additionally, Hezbollah struck another command center in Biranit barracks with a Burkan missile.

As the violence continued, Israeli warplanes targeted several southern border towns in Lebanon, including Houla, Aita al-Shaab, Maroun al-Ras, Aitaroun, Kfarkela, and al-Khiam, following Hezbollah’s attack on nine Israeli posts on Tuesday.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties. In Lebanon, the violence has killed at least 390 people in nearly seven months, primarily militants, but also over 70 civilians. On the Israeli side, the conflict has claimed the lives of 13 soldiers and nine civilians. The strife has also displaced tens of thousands of people from both sides of the border.