On Thursday, Hezbollah launched rockets at northern Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon earlier this week that killed a top commander. This marks the first attack by Hezbollah since the Israeli airstrike on Tuesday evening that killed Fuad Shukr, a senior commander within the Iran-backed militant group. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, announced that operations would resume on Friday morning, escalating tensions in the region.
The group reported that it fired dozens of Katyusha rockets “in response to the Israeli enemy’s attack on the southern village of Shama that killed a number of civilians.” The Israeli military confirmed that its air force targeted the Hezbollah launcher responsible for the rockets shortly after the attack. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that only five of the rockets managed to enter Israel, and there were no reported casualties.
Israel Blames Lebanese Government for Hezbollah Attack
Israel has placed responsibility for the Hezbollah attack on the Lebanese government. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the Israeli government asserted, “We will not allow anyone to terrorize the people of Israel.” The statement underscores the broader geopolitical tensions involving Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel.
Northern Israel right now: we hold the Lebanese government responsible for EVERY single Hezbollah rocket fired toward Israel.
We will not allow anyone to terrorize the people of Israel. pic.twitter.com/ZqN1tHk7cR
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) August 1, 2024
Assassinations in the Region Escalate Tensions
The death of Fuad Shukr was not the only high-profile assassination in the region this week. Hours after Shukr’s death, a strike in Tehran killed Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, an ally of Hezbollah. Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of orchestrating the attack, although Israel has not commented on the incident. Additionally, Israel confirmed on Thursday that Mohammed Deif, the head of Hamas’ military wing, was killed in an airstrike in Gaza in July.
Hezbollah Leader Issues Stern Warning
In a virtual speech to mourners gathered around Shukur’s coffin in a Beirut suburb, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah declared, “We have entered a new phase that is different from the previous period.” Referring to the assassinations, Nasrallah questioned, “Do they expect that Hajj Ismail Haniyeh will be killed in Iran and Iran will remain silent?” He warned, “Laugh a bit and you will cry a lot,” signaling potential further escalation.
Biden Promises Increased US Military Support for Israel
In light of the escalating violence and threats from Iran-backed groups, US President Joe Biden assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “new defensive US military deployments.” The White House stated that Biden reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. The conversation included discussions on bolstering Israel’s defense capabilities against threats such as ballistic missiles and drones.
Netanyahu, in response, declared on Thursday that Israel is maintaining a “very high level of preparedness” to respond to any potential reprisals following the recent assassinations of key Hamas and Hezbollah figures.