The already tense border between Lebanon and Israel erupted in a wave of violence on Friday, with Hezbollah and Israel trading airstrikes and rocket barrages. The escalation came after Hezbollah, led by Hassan Nasrallah, vowed to retaliate against Israel for a recent attack that disabled thousands of their communication devices.
Hezbollah’s response was swift and heavy. They launched 140 rockets in three waves targeting areas along the border, including multiple air defense bases and the headquarters of an Israeli armored brigade. The Israeli military confirmed the attacks, stating that 120 missiles were fired towards the Golan Heights, Safed, and the Upper Galilee. They reported that some of the rockets were intercepted, while others landed in open areas. Fire crews were deployed to extinguish blazes caused by falling debris.
Israel retaliated with airstrikes targeting Hezbollah infrastructure across southern Lebanon. The Israeli military described the strikes as “targeted,” with explosions heard coming from the southern suburbs of Beirut. Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV reported that a drone fired several missiles on the heavily-populated area known as Dahiyeh. A Hezbollah official confirmed the airstrike, but did not provide further details.
The exchange of fire follows a period of near-daily attacks since October 8, a day after the Israel-Hamas war began. However, Friday’s rocket barrages were heavier than usual. Nasrallah had vowed to continue daily strikes on Israel, despite the recent sabotage of their communication devices, which he described as a “severe blow.” The attacks, which occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, killed at least 20 people and injured thousands in Lebanon.
The sophisticated sabotage attacks, while neither confirmed nor denied by Israel, have heightened concerns that the cross-border conflict could escalate into a full-blown war. In recent days, Israel has deployed a significant fighting force to its northern border, officials have intensified their rhetoric, and the country’s security cabinet has declared the return of displaced residents to their homes in northern Israel a war goal.
The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation. The ongoing exchange of fire highlights the deep-seated tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, and the potential for these tensions to erupt into wider conflict.
