In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Hezbollah intensified its operations against Israeli military sites over the past 24 hours, marking the most intense exchange of fire since October 8.
The militant group targeted nine Israeli sites and gatherings during a 12-hour period, resulting in the mourning of four fighters killed in Israeli shelling of homes in Beit Lif and Deir Aames.
Hezbollah claimed to have targeted a gathering of Israeli soldiers south of the Al-Abbad site with missiles from Friday night until noon on Saturday. Israeli warplanes responded with raids on the outskirts of Naqoura, Aita Al-Shaab, and Blida towns.
Another Israeli soldier gathering near Doviv Barracks and Khirbet Ma’ar military base was also targeted. Hezbollah released a statement indicating the use of Burkan missiles in the vicinity of Jal Al-Alam and targeting a building in the Avivim settlement and positions near Metula.
The militant group further reported a sniper unit targeting a new surveillance apparatus on Israel’s Zar’it Barracks and a gathering of soldiers on Cobra Hill with Burkan missiles. Subsequently, Hezbollah announced the targeting of “spy equipment” in the Al-Bahri site. A security source described this military escalation as the most intense exchange of shelling and rocket fire since October.
Israeli retaliation included machine gun fire on the coastal border area of Ras Al-Naqoura, airstrikes on several towns’ outskirts, and artillery shelling on the villages of Houla, Al-Dhaira, Ayta ash Shab, and Tayr Harfa.
The heightened tensions prompted Israeli settlements near the Lebanon border to activate sirens amid concerns about incoming drones and missiles.
Hezbollah held a funeral procession for the four fighters killed, vowing to keep the southern front open to support Gaza. Hezbollah MP Hassan Ezzedine warned that the resistance was fully prepared to respond to any escalation and would deal a blow that the enemy could never anticipate.
Israeli news outlets reported multiple siren activations in settlements near the Lebanon border, with rockets falling in the Shlomi settlement.
Hezbollah parliamentary bloc leader MP Mohammed Raad issued a stern warning to Israel, cautioning against spreading aggression in Lebanon, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging Lebanon’s stability, sovereignty, and the right to its land in any regional agreement.
Raad’s statement was in response to recent US and French diplomatic efforts aiming to decouple Lebanon’s southern border from events in Gaza and encourage a Hezbollah withdrawal.