Hezbollah Hits Kiryat Shmona with Suicide Drones After Overnight Strikes

Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes overnight into Thursday on more than ten southern border towns and a town near Sarafand. According to the Israeli military, the targets included Hezbollah’s weapons depots, military buildings, and a launch site.

The strikes specifically hit areas such as Kfarshouba, Shihine, al-Jebbayn, al-Khiam, Kfarkela, Mhaybib, Aita al-Shaab, al-Naqoura, and Tefahta near Saida. Additionally, Israeli artillery shelled the outskirts of Ramia, al-Naqoura, and al-Labbouneh.

In response to these attacks, Hezbollah launched suicide drones targeting Israeli military positions in Kiryat Shmona. The group also attacked the Biranit barracks, the Jal al-Alam post, and military positions in Metula in northern Israel using artillery shells, a suicide drone, and other weapons.

Hezbollah and its allies have been engaging in frequent exchanges of fire with Israel in support of Hamas since the Gaza war began on October 7, following an attack by Hamas on Israel.

The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of approximately 593 people in Lebanon, most of whom were Hezbollah fighters, though the toll also includes at least 130 civilians, according to AFP’s count. On the Israeli side, including the annexed Golan Heights, the conflict has claimed the lives of 23 soldiers and 26 civilians, based on military reports.