Soon after the Arab League untagged Hezbollah as a ‘terrorist’ organisation, the Lebanon-based resistance organisation launched a series of rocket and artillery attacks targeting several Israeli targets, including in the occupied Golan Heights, on Thursday. One Israeli reservist officer has been reportedly killed in the attacks.
Although Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that the forces are well prepared and launched a counter-attack on several Lebanese villages, violating Lebanon’s sovereignty and threatening to expand the conflict in occupied Palestinian territories throughout the region, Hezbollah has remained consistent in its incessant attacks.
According to Hezbollah sources, attacks were launched targeting Israeli soldiers in Kafr Blum with rockets as a response to the attacks on the town of Shebaa, and the injury of a civilian woman. The outfit claimed that it had fired 200 different types of rockets targeting key Israeli military installations.
The Israel Defence Force’s (IDF) 91st Division headquarters in the Ayelet Barracks, the headquarters of the 7th Armored Brigade in Katsavia Barracks, the headquarters of the armoured battalion of the 7th Brigade in Gamla Barracks, the headquarters of the 210th Division (Golan Division) at Nafah base and the headquarters of the artillery regiment of the 210th Division in Yarden Barracks were targeted in Hezbollah’s latest rocket attack spree.
Moreover, in response to the continuous Israeli attacks on Lebanese villages and its attempts to assassinate key Hezbollah officials, the outfit fired “swarms of drones” targeting various IDF targets.
Hezbollah claimed that its drones attacked the IDF’s 91st Division headquarters in the Ayelet Barracks, the
7th Armored Brigade headquarters in Katsavia Barracks, the Northern Region Command Headquarters at Dadu Base, the Mishar Northern Region Intelligence Base, the Hermon Brigade 810 headquarters in Maale Golani Barracks, the permanent main base of the 146th Ilania Division and the headquarters of the Golani Brigade and the Egoz Unit in Sharaga Barracks.
Despite Mr Netanyahu’s claim of IDF’s preparations, fortified bunkers and sirens, the IDF announced the death of one officer and injury of others in Hezbollah’s attacks on Thursday morning.
Major (reservist) Itay Galea (38), a deputy company commander in the Yiftah Reserve Armored Brigade’s 8679th unit, was killed in the strikes, according to the IDF.
“I received a comprehensive review from the Air Force Commander regarding the defensive and offensive operations,” Mr Netanyahu claimed.
Battered by Israel-wide protests against his government’s prolonged aggression in Gaza and a disarrayed military expedition, Mr Netanyahu tried to reassure his people of their security.
“We are determined to restore security to the north and return residents safely to their homes,” he said while referring to the deteriorating situation due to the escalation with Hezbollah.
New Israeli airstrikes were reported in Aita al-Shaab and Mays al-Jabal. Additional artillery attacks on various villages including Duhayra were reported by the Lebanese side.
In the meantime, to bolster their position domestically, the IDF released footage of their attacks overnight in various Lebanese villages, including Mays al-Jabal and Aita al-Shaab. There are reports of additional attacks in Rashaya al-Fukhar and Teir Harfa.
Hezbollah’s new lease of attacks targeting the IDF took place after the Arab League removed it from the terror list, where it was put in 2016 following a similar measure by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) after the outfit joined the Syrian War in support of President Bashar al-Assad.
Removing Hezbollah, perceived as close to Iran, comes at a time when the relations between Tehran and key Gulf monarchies, especially Saudi Arabia, have been improving due to China’s intervention and the Arab countries.
Recently, Saudi Arabia warned Israel of “dire consequences” if it doesn’t cease its illegal expansion in the West Bank.
Hezbollah claims it has intensified its attacks on northern parts of Israel and threatens to expand it until Tel Aviv stops the Gaza expedition, which killed 37,953 civilians until July 3rd and displaced 1.9m. Children constitute nearly 32% of the victims—7,717 of them killed—of Israel’s aggression following the October 7th attack by Hamas.
