Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated further, with over 100 rockets launched into northern Israel, particularly near Haifa, on Sunday. This attack is reportedly Hezbollah’s largest barrage yet in the ongoing conflict. The Israeli military confirmed that air defense systems intercepted many of the projectiles, but some struck civilian areas, causing injuries and significant property damage. According to local reports, at least five people in Haifa were injured, some critically, as the city came under fire.
The assault follows Israel's claim that it successfully targeted and killed Hashem Safieddine, the deputy leader of Hezbollah and the designated successor to the group’s current leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Safieddine was reportedly hit during a precision airstrike on a Hezbollah command center in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah has not officially confirmed Safieddine’s death, and there remains uncertainty surrounding his fate. However, the Israeli government insists it has eliminated Safieddine, who was seen as critical to Hezbollah’s future leadership and operational command.
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Hezbollah’s rocket offensive is seen as retaliation for Israel's intensified military actions in Lebanon. Just days before the attack on Haifa, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a series of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions across southern Lebanon. The IDF has ramped up its operations since September, and officials claim to have killed hundreds of Hezbollah fighters during the recent offensives. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s military would continue its operations in Lebanon until Hezbollah’s ability to launch attacks on Israeli cities was fully neutralized.
Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, has vowed to keep fighting despite the heavy losses suffered in recent weeks. Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, affirmed that the group's missile capabilities remained intact and promised further attacks on Israeli targets. The Iranian government has also expressed its support for Hezbollah, which it considers a critical ally in the broader geopolitical struggle against Israel and the West.
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As the conflict drags on, the situation on the ground remains tense. Residents of Haifa and surrounding towns have been forced to take shelter in bomb-proof rooms as Hezbollah’s rocket fire becomes more frequent and intense. The IDF has responded by conducting more airstrikes against Hezbollah’s infrastructure, including tunnels and weapons storage facilities, many of which are reportedly located under civilian buildings in southern Lebanon.
The broader context of this violence is Israel’s multi-front war with Hamas and Hezbollah, both of which have ramped up attacks following the deadly Hamas incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Since then, Hezbollah has fired thousands of rockets into northern Israel, while Israel has retaliated with hundreds of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure. This flare-up marks a significant escalation in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which has simmered for years without full-scale confrontation until now.
As the battle rages on, regional leaders and international diplomats are calling for de-escalation. Lebanon’s Speaker of Parliament, Nabih Berri, has been actively seeking a ceasefire, which Hezbollah has signaled it may consider, according to Qassem. However, Israel has made it clear that any ceasefire must be contingent on Hezbollah’s complete disarmament.
For now, the conflict shows no sign of abating, as both sides continue to escalate military operations. The possibility of a broader regional war looms large, especially with Iran’s backing of Hezbollah and ongoing tensions with Israel.
