In a significant escalation of cross-border violence, more than 50 rockets were launched from Lebanon into northern Israel overnight, causing extensive damage but no reported injuries. The incident marks another dangerous flare-up in the ongoing tensions between Hezbollah and Israel.
First Barrage: Early Morning Attacks
At around 1 a.m., the first wave of 20 rockets was fired at the Galilee Panhandle and the city of Kiryat Shmona. Israel’s air defense systems successfully intercepted most of these projectiles, though several struck Kiryat Shmona, causing significant damage.
The terror group Hezbollah quickly claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating it was retaliating for an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon the day before. According to local reports, that strike killed three emergency workers in the town of Froun.
Damage in Kiryat Shmona
In Kiryat Shmona, one rocket scored a direct hit on a building, and another exploded on a sidewalk, leading to extensive damage across the area. Municipal crews worked overnight to assess the full scope of the damage, though darkness slowed the process.
Despite the destruction, no injuries were reported. The IDF confirmed that most rockets were intercepted before they could cause more harm.
Second Barrage: More Rockets Before Dawn
Just hours later, around 5:30 a.m., another 30 rockets were fired from Lebanon. While some were intercepted, the remainder fell in open areas, causing less damage than the earlier barrage.
Once again, Hezbollah took responsibility, stating that it targeted the community of Shamir, a kibbutz near the Golan Heights. Unlike many other towns close to the Lebanese border, Shamir has not been evacuated, and residents continue to stay in their homes.
Israeli Response: Airstrikes on Hezbollah Targets
In retaliation for the rocket fire, the Israel Defense Forces launched airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. The strikes focused on towns near the Israeli border, including Aitaroun, Maroun al-Ras, and Yaroun.
The IDF later released footage of these airstrikes, confirming that buildings used by Hezbollah were hit. The strikes were aimed at Hezbollah and Amal members involved in military operations.
Hezbollah and Amal: The Impact of Israeli Strikes
The initial Israeli airstrike in Froun, which prompted the overnight rocket fire, killed three individuals. The IDF stated that two of the victims were members of the Hezbollah-allied Amal movement, operating out of a Hezbollah compound.
Lebanon’s health ministry condemned the attack, accusing Israel of targeting a civil defense team that had been putting out fires from earlier Israeli strikes. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati also criticized the attack, calling it a violation of international law.
Rising Tensions in the Region
Hezbollah has launched approximately 100 rockets into Israel in the past 24 hours alone, marking a sharp increase in violence. While some northern Israeli communities have been evacuated, tens of thousands of residents remain in place.
This recent escalation is part of a broader conflict, with Hezbollah supporting Hamas in its ongoing war with Israel following Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7. The skirmishes have led to 26 civilian deaths in Israel, along with the loss of 20 IDF soldiers.
On the Lebanese side, Hezbollah has reported that 433 of its members have been killed, alongside other operatives and civilians. As the situation intensifies, the possibility of a full-scale conflict looms large.