Hezbollah hits northern Israel in retaliation for southern strikes

On Monday, Hezbollah launched attacks on several Israeli positions in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Lebanese villages. The group reported using suicide drones to target a command center east of Nahariya, following the killing of two Hezbollah members in Aitaroun and Markaba due to Israeli strikes on Saturday.

Israeli media confirmed that the drones caused a fire in Kabri, located east of Nahariya.

Hezbollah also attacked two buildings used by Israeli soldiers in al-Manara and another in Yir’on in response to strikes on Houla and Shebaa villages. Additionally, the group targeted the Bayyad Blida post with a suicide drone and attacked a building in Avivim and surveillance equipment in the Ramim barracks.

On Sunday, Hezbollah conducted six attacks on Israeli positions in northern Israel and the occupied Kfarshouba Heights, including the use of suicide drones. The group also fired air defense missiles at an Israeli warplane over south Lebanon, forcing it to retreat beyond the border. This marked the second time Hezbollah used air defense missiles since the conflict began, with the first occurrence aimed at Israeli warplanes allegedly terrorizing children in south Lebanon.

Hezbollah has escalated its attacks, penetrating deeper into Israeli territory and deploying advanced weaponry. Last month, the group successfully conducted a missile strike from within Israeli airspace, targeting a military post in northern Israel with a drone that fired two missiles.

Hezbollah’s advanced arsenal includes drones capable of launching missiles, explosive drones, and small guided missiles like the Almas (Diamond), which was used to attack a surveillance balloon control base. This development has alarmed the Israeli military, which has intensified its targeting of Hezbollah fighters and allied militants in south Lebanon.

The ongoing exchange of fire between Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, and Israeli forces has persisted for eight months since the Gaza war erupted on October 7. Recent weeks have seen an escalation in the deadly clashes, causing numerous brush fires along the Israel-Lebanon border and raising concerns of a broader conflict.

Since October 8, the border violence has claimed 458 lives in Lebanon, mostly fighters but also around 90 civilians. On the Israeli side, the toll includes at least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians, according to the army.