Hezbollah launched rocket attacks on Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city, as tensions in the Middle East escalated. The attack came as Israel marked the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ attack that triggered the Gaza war. The rockets targeted both Haifa and Tiberias, while Israel’s military reported about 190 projectiles entering its territory.
Israel responded with extensive bombings of Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, resulting in casualties on both sides, including two Israeli soldiers. Lebanon’s health ministry reported dozens of deaths, mostly civilians, including ten firefighters killed in an airstrike.
Israel’s military operation in Lebanon, described as “localized, limited, and targeted,” has steadily expanded. The U.S., Israel’s key ally, maintains that the operation is still controlled, despite the increasing scale of the conflict. Israeli forces have been entering southern Lebanon to clear areas where Hezbollah fighters are embedded.
On Monday, Israel intensified its strikes, hitting 120 Hezbollah targets, including their special forces, missile force, and intelligence directorate. These actions are aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s capabilities while avoiding deeper incursions into Lebanon.
Hezbollah Launches Rockets at Haifa as Israel Expands Military Operations in Southern Lebanon Amid Escalation
Hezbollah’s rocket attacks are part of a broader regional escalation, with Iran-backed groups like the Houthi movement in Yemen also launching missiles at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians. Hamas, which initiated the Gaza conflict a year ago, continues to target Israel, including Tel Aviv.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to prevent another attack like the one that occurred on October 7, 2023, which resulted in a devastating loss of life and led to Israel’s current military response.
The conflict has severely impacted Lebanon, displacing over 1.2 million people and leading to fears that the destruction seen in Gaza may spread to Lebanon. Israel issued warnings to avoid certain areas of the Lebanese coast as it plans further operations.
Commemorative events were held in Israel, including a memorial for the Nova Music Festival victims, highlighting the lasting trauma from the October 7 attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and led to widespread retaliation against Gaza.
As the fighting spreads, concerns are growing about the potential for a wider regional war, with powers like the U.S. and Iran potentially becoming more involved.
Iran’s missile attacks on Israel on October 1, followed by Israel’s weighing of retaliatory options, have increased fears of conflict affecting key oil-producing regions. The escalating violence between Hezbollah and Israel reflects a broader conflict that threatens to destabilize the entire Middle East.
