Israel strikes in Lebanon after Hezbollah rocket barrage - Seth J. Frantzman

 

​ by Seth J. Frantzman

Rocket attacks from Lebanon continue to ramp up as Israel hits back at Hezbollah.

 

Israeli reserve soldiers seen during a military training in the Golan Heights, northern Israel, on October 27, 2023

(photo credit: MICHAEL GILADI/FLASH90)

Israel struck terror targets in Lebanon amid a rocket barrage from Lebanon that sounded rocket alarms in northern Israeli communities including Margoliot, Misgav Am, and the Bedouin town of Arab el-Aramshe on Saturday.

The widespread attacks in the north come after several days of relative quiet. In the wake of the October 7 attack by Hamas, Hezbollah increased its attacks on northern Israel. More than 40 communities and the city of Kiryat Shmona have been evacuated amid the rising tensions. 

On Friday Hezbollah terrorists attempted to launch rockets toward Israeli territory, the IDF said. “The rockets fell in Syria. Overnight in response, an IDF fighter jet struck Hezbollah's military infrastructure in Lebanon.”

In general, Israel responds proportionately to each attack in the north. Estimates in various foreign media and social media sources say that more than 40 Hezbollah members have been killed in counterstrikes over the last three weeks.  

IDF intercepts surface-to-air missile

On Saturday the IDF thwarted a surface-to-air missiles fired from Lebanon at an Israeli UAV. Then a terrorist cell fired anti-tank missiles toward Hanita. Hanita is a community in the hills facing Lebanon on the northern border. It is not far from the Mediterranean and Shlomi and other communities near Nahariya. An IDF drone responded to the attack.

IDF Artillery Corps near the border with Lebanon, in northern Israel, July 6, 2023 (credit: AYAL MARGOLIN/FLASH90)

Later in the day, there were anti-tank missiles and mortars launched from Lebanon. Then there were more attacks near Zarit on the border.

Towards the evening sirens sounded in Shtula, which is also located on the high hills that overlook Lebanon. There have been a lot of attacks on Shtula since October 7, including one anti-tank missile that hit a vehicle, killing one person and injuring others during the first week of the war.  

Israel carried out retaliation using tanks, artillery, and aircraft.  

Nevertheless, Hezbollah does not appear deterred. On Friday evening, amid reports that Israel was increasing attacks on Gaza, Hezbollah also threatened border communities such as Avivim and Misgav Am. There were also rockets launched from Lebanon that overflew Israel and landed in Syria.  

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.

Seth J. Frantzman

Source: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-770588

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