Israel at War, Day 90: Northern Front on Brink of Explosion
We are going to change the defense routine,” said the IDF Chief of Staff. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Israelis evacuated from their border-adjacent homes have no horizon, and Nasrallah vows to retaliate against- Arouri’s assassination
Mandi Kogosowski
| 04/01/2024
The aftermath of the drone strike that killed al-Arouri in Beirut. Photo credit: Houssam Shbaro / Anadolu via Reuters Connect
"We are very well-prepared in the north, from my impression. I think the readiness is at its peak. There is a lot of knowledge, excellent capability, and a high spirit," said the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, during a visit to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon yesterday (Wednesday).
Halevi visited the area following the assassination in Beirut of Hamas’ number two, Saleh al-Arouri, which foreign sources attribute to Israel. Several Hezbollah terrorists were also killed in recent days, as tensions with Israel continue to rise.
Last night, the IDF attacked a cell of terrorists that operated in the vicinity of the village of Yaroun, in southern Lebanon, and also targeted Hezbollah surveillance assets and military infrastructure. Fighter jets and tanks also attacked in Lebanon yesterday.
"First and foremost, we are looking ahead; we are going to change the defense routine. We are going to significantly strengthen security along the borders at least in the coming year, and we will reach a much stronger situation,” Halevi noted.
Tens of thousands of residents of the Israeli communities near the Lebanese border were ordered to evacuate in the early days following Hamas’ October 7th attack on southern Israel. They are not expected to return home for months. When they do, they will face destruction – partially caused by Hezbollah’s attacks, partially by IDF artillery which fires near their homes, which are now considered military zones.
In a pre-planned televised speech held yesterday, Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah vowed revenge for al-Arouri’s death, adding that “we are not afraid of war and that “If the enemy (Israel) is thinking of waging a war against Lebanon, we will fight without restraint, rules, limits or restrictions.” The speech was set to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force.
This was not the only Soleimani-related event yesterday: over 200 people were killed in a series of explosions near the grace of Soleimani in Kerman, Iran, during a memorial service. The Iranians have blamed Israel and called this a “terrorist attack” that “will be met with a harsh response.” It is unclear who is behind the attack. Some reports indicate that the Iranian opposition is involved.
Meanwhile, fighting in the Gaza Strip continues, and IDF forces have engaged in heavy battles with Hamas terrorists. This morning, after a relatively calm week, rockets from Gaza were launched at the southern city of Ashkelon.
We are going to change the defense routine,” said the IDF Chief of Staff. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Israelis evacuated from their border-adjacent homes have no horizon, and Nasrallah vows to retaliate against- Arouri’s assassination
The aftermath of the drone strike that killed al-Arouri in Beirut. Photo credit: Houssam Shbaro / Anadolu via Reuters Connect
"We are very well-prepared in the north, from my impression. I think the readiness is at its peak. There is a lot of knowledge, excellent capability, and a high spirit," said the IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, during a visit to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon yesterday (Wednesday).
Halevi visited the area following the assassination in Beirut of Hamas’ number two, Saleh al-Arouri, which foreign sources attribute to Israel. Several Hezbollah terrorists were also killed in recent days, as tensions with Israel continue to rise.
Last night, the IDF attacked a cell of terrorists that operated in the vicinity of the village of Yaroun, in southern Lebanon, and also targeted Hezbollah surveillance assets and military infrastructure. Fighter jets and tanks also attacked in Lebanon yesterday.
"First and foremost, we are looking ahead; we are going to change the defense routine. We are going to significantly strengthen security along the borders at least in the coming year, and we will reach a much stronger situation,” Halevi noted.
Tens of thousands of residents of the Israeli communities near the Lebanese border were ordered to evacuate in the early days following Hamas’ October 7th attack on southern Israel. They are not expected to return home for months. When they do, they will face destruction – partially caused by Hezbollah’s attacks, partially by IDF artillery which fires near their homes, which are now considered military zones.
In a pre-planned televised speech held yesterday, Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah vowed revenge for al-Arouri’s death, adding that “we are not afraid of war and that “If the enemy (Israel) is thinking of waging a war against Lebanon, we will fight without restraint, rules, limits or restrictions.” The speech was set to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force.
This was not the only Soleimani-related event yesterday: over 200 people were killed in a series of explosions near the grace of Soleimani in Kerman, Iran, during a memorial service. The Iranians have blamed Israel and called this a “terrorist attack” that “will be met with a harsh response.” It is unclear who is behind the attack. Some reports indicate that the Iranian opposition is involved.
Meanwhile, fighting in the Gaza Strip continues, and IDF forces have engaged in heavy battles with Hamas terrorists. This morning, after a relatively calm week, rockets from Gaza were launched at the southern city of Ashkelon.
