Early on Monday, rockets launched by Hezbollah struck Haifa, Israel’s third largest city. This incident comes as Israel appears ready to escalate ground operations in southern Lebanon, coinciding with the first anniversary of the Gaza war, a conflict that has intensified tensions throughout the Middle East.
Supported by Iran, Hezbollah, allied with Hamas in the ongoing conflict against Israel in Gaza, announced that it has struck a military base located south of Haifa using a barrage of “Fadi 1” missiles. Additionally, the group reported another assault on Tiberias, situated 65 kilometers (40 miles) away.
The escalating conflict has sparked concerns that the United States, a key ally of Israel, and Iran may become embroiled in a broader war in the oil-rich Middle East.
Israeli police have confirmed that rockets have hit Haifa, a significant port city, with local media reporting that 10 individuals sustained injuries in the incident.
Israel’s military reported in a recent statement that they launched five rockets at Haifa from Lebanon and deployed interceptors in response. Authorities have confirmed the presence of fallen projectiles in the vicinity. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
According to reports, Israel’s northern Galilee region, Tiberias, was the target of 15 additional rocket launches, some of which successfully intercepted their trajectory. Reports from Israeli media indicate that an additional five rockets have struck the Tiberia region.
Authorities reported damage to several buildings and properties, minor injuries, and the transportation of some individuals to a nearby hospital.
On Monday morning, Israel’s military reported the interception of two aerial targets launched from the east, following the activation of sirens in the central regions of Rishon Lezion and Palmachim. This incident coincides with the first anniversary of the devastating cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, which marked the beginning of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In the wake of significant security lapses during last year’s Hamas incursion from Gaza, many Israelis have found renewed confidence in their military and intelligence capabilities. This resurgence comes on the heels of a series of impactful operations against Hezbollah, Iran’s most formidable proxy militia, in Lebanon over the past few weeks.
Air strikes targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, the stronghold of Hezbollah, around midnight as Israel continued its series of nightly raids on the area that was once densely populated.
The Israeli military reported that it targeted Hezbollah’s weapons storage facilities in the Beirut region, detecting secondary explosions that suggested the presence of weaponry.
The military reported airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley, which included strikes on weapons storage facilities, infrastructure sites, and a command center.
Israel has leveled accusations against Hezbollah, claiming that the group has intentionally placed its command centers and weaponry beneath residential structures in central Beirut. Hezbollah has refuted allegations of stockpiling weapons within civilian areas.
On October 8, 2023, Hezbollah initiated a series of rocket attacks targeting Israel, expressing solidarity with Hamas. Hezbollah and Israel’s conflict, which had largely confined to the border area over the past year, has significantly escalated within Lebanon.
Israel has launched ground incursions into the southeastern region of Lebanon, a move that Hezbollah claims to have successfully repelled.
On Monday, Israelis commemorated the first anniversary of the harrowing Hamas attack, which included a memorial event honoring the victims of the Nova Music Festival. In this tragic incident, militants claimed the lives of 364 people and abducted 44 attendees and staff members from the rave party.
As mourners gathered to pay their respects, photographs of the victims were prominently displayed, with attendees carrying Israeli flags under a heightened security presence.
According to Israeli figures, militants affiliated with Hamas killed approximately 1,200 individuals and captured around 250 hostages during a rapid assault on October 7, which has drawn significant attention and concern.
On Monday, security forces in Israel heightened their alert status, as both the military and police reported concerns over potential Palestinian attacks linked to the anniversary.
According to Palestinian health authorities, the recent Hamas assault has prompted a significant Israeli offensive on Gaza, resulting in widespread destruction across the densely populated coastal enclave and claiming nearly 42,000 lives.
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, navigating the intricate network of tunnels in the Gaza Strip, seems to have withstood Israel’s aggressive campaign thus far.
Escalating Tensions
The unexpected attack by the Palestinian Islamist group, which maintains ties with Iran, marks a significant security lapse for Israel, a nation known for its robust and advanced military capabilities.
The Gaza war has escalated into a regional conflict, involving Iran’s wider “axis of resistance,” which includes Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, and Iraqi militia groups. This situation has led to multiple direct confrontations between Israel and Iran.
Reports indicate a significant airstrike targeting Hashem Safieddine, who is considered a potential successor to the late leader Hassan Nasrallah. Officials report that Israeli airstrikes have hindered rescue workers from conducting a search operation, leaving Safieddine unaccounted for since Thursday.
According to two senior Iranian security officials who spoke to Reuters, Esmail Qaani, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, has not been heard from since he traveled to Lebanon following the killing of Nasrallah and the subsequent strikes on Beirut late last week.
According to an official source, Qaani was present in the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as the Dahiyeh, at the time of the strike that reportedly targeted Safieddine. However, the official clarified that Qaani was not in a meeting with Safieddine.
The Quds Force, which operates as the international branch of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, oversees interactions with militias aligned with Tehran throughout the Middle East, including groups like Hezbollah.
Recent Israeli assaults on Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 individuals, with the majority occurring in the last fortnight. This violence has also prompted a significant exodus, with more than one million people fleeing from southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel last week in retaliation for Israeli military actions in Lebanon and Gaza. Israel wants tens of thousands of citizens to return home safely to the north. The nation has also pledged retaliation, raising concerns that existing tensions may escalate into a full-scale regional conflict.
