The Lebanese Hezbollah group announced targeting a large Israeli infantry force in northern Israel with rocket and artillery weapons.
The group stated in a message on Telegram that it targeted “a large infantry force in the Miskaf’am settlement with rocket and artillery weapons, achieving a direct and precise hit.”
On Tuesday evening, the Israeli military announced that Iran had launched hundreds of rockets towards Israel. The military spokesperson urged Israelis to remain alert and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command precisely.
At the same time, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced the launch of dozens of rockets towards Israel and warned that any response from Tel Aviv would be met with an even more “crushing and destructive” retaliation. A senior Iranian official told Reuters that the missile launches were carried out on orders from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Following the Iranian attack, Israel closed its airspace. Israeli officials stated that this attack “will have consequences” and threatened Tehran with a harsh response.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated late Tuesday that Iran had made a significant mistake and would pay the price.
Recent developments in Lebanon have significantly escalated tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, largely due to ongoing conflicts and retaliatory strikes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. The situation has been particularly volatile since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which has further inflamed the already tense relations. Hezbollah, aligned with Hamas and backed by Iran, has increased its attacks on Israeli territories, prompting fears of a broader regional conflict.
Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict is seen as part of a broader regional power struggle, with the group acting as an agent of Iranian interests in the area. This has led to repeated exchanges of missile and artillery fire, affecting civilians and military personnel alike. Israeli forces have also been active, targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon in response to attacks from the group.
Efforts to de-escalate the situation have been ongoing, with international diplomatic interventions aimed at preventing a full-scale war. However, the volatility of the situation, compounded by the deep-seated animosities and strategic calculations of the involved parties, makes the future uncertain.
