Escalation in Northern Israel as Hezbollah Launches Thousands of Rockets
The Israeli Air Force struck Hezbollah targets following rocket launches toward northern Israel. The Home Front Command tightened its directives for residents of the region
The aftermath of a direct hit on the town of Kiriyat Bialik, near Haifa, this morning. Photo: Samir Abdalhade / Anadolu via Reuters Connect
An escalation in Home Front Command directives has been issued for residents from Haifa northward, due to the increased civilian and military alert in the north. The Israeli Air Force carried out numerous strikes against Hezbollah targets in response to identifying the terror organization’s intentions to launch a large number of rockets and missiles toward Israel.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant signed an order yesterday declaring a "special situation on the home front" and announced a change in defense guidelines from Haifa northward. Gatherings of 300 people in enclosed spaces and 30 people in open areas have been approved. Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar stated yesterday that the Air Force is at its "highest level of readiness." Yesterday, 400 launchers and thousands of Hezbollah rocket and missile launch systems targeting Israel were attacked.
The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that in an Israeli Air Force strike, which resulted in the elimination of Hezbollah's head of operations Ibrahim Aqil, at least 37 people were killed. The report also said, that the IDF is aware of the elimination of 16 Hezbollah commanders and members in the Dahiya area during this strike.
This morning (Sunday), alarms were activated between 6:24-6:32 and 6:52-7:00 in several areas in the north of the country, with approximately 85 launches identified crossing the border from Lebanon. Israel's air defense systems intercepted some of the launches, but impacts were reported in the Kiryat Bialik, Tzur Shalom, and Moreshet areas. Firefighting teams are currently working to extinguish several fires that broke out in the area due to the rocket impacts.
Additionally, following alarms that were activated at 4:48 and 5:10 in the Jezreel Valley area, around 20 more launches from Lebanon were identified. Most were intercepted, and the rest landed in open areas without causing damage or injuries.
Meanwhile, the IDF is currently striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
