Hezbollah Strikes Northern Israel, Inflicting Casualties as Clashes Escalate Along Lebanon-Israel Border
Hezbollah militants launched a series of attacks on northern Israel, resulting in casualties and intensifying clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border. The Israeli military confirmed that seven IDF soldiers sustained light injuries due to mortar shell launches near Manara in northern Israel. In addition, there were reports of 10 others wounded by rocket blasts and shrapnel, two of whom were in critical condition.
The Israeli military identified 15 launches from Lebanon within the past hour, with four intercepted by defense systems and the rest falling into open areas. Hamas’s military wing claimed responsibility for shelling the northern town of Haifa, as well as the Israeli border towns of Na’ura and Shlomi from southern Lebanon. The precise details of these attacks were not disclosed.
This recent escalation follows Hezbollah’s initial firing of anti-tank missiles at an Israeli community near the border. These missiles caused severe injuries to utility workers. In response, the Israeli military launched artillery fire at the source of the attack. The Israel Electric Corp reported that workers in the rural community of Dovev were wounded while repairing previously damaged power lines. Media outlets indicated that six people were injured, one critically.
Consequently, Israel conducted strikes on several southern Lebanese towns, including Yaroun, Mays el-Jabal, and Alma al-Shaab. Hezbollah stated that it launched guided missiles against an Israeli military force involved in installing transmission poles and spying devices near the Dovev barracks. They claimed a separate strike on an Israeli military bulldozer. Shortly after these attacks, air raid sirens were heard in northern Israel, with reports of another anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon.
Hezbollah later announced further attacks on Israeli military gatherings and barracks in the border areas of Birket Riche and Zareit. The clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border have been ongoing since the start of the Israel-Hamas war five weeks ago, when Hamas initiated a violent incursion into southern Israel. Although contained for the most part, these clashes have grown more intense as Israel carries out a ground offensive in Gaza against Hamas.
In a separate development, the United Nations peacekeeping force in south Lebanon, Unifil, reported that one of its peacekeepers was wounded by gunfire near the town of al-Qawza. It remains unclear whether the peacekeeper was deliberately targeted or caught in crossfire, and Unifil is currently investigating the incident.
This recent assault marks the most severe incident involving civilians since a previous Israeli airstrike in south Lebanon on November 5, which resulted in the death of a woman and three children.
As tensions escalate and clashes continue along the tense Lebanon-Israel border, it is crucial to monitor the situation closely for further developments.
