According to a Reuters report, Hezbollah launched rockets at Haifa, Israel’s third-largest city, early Monday amid escalating regional tensions. On the anniversary of the Gaza war, Israel signaled its intention to increase ground operations in southern Lebanon as the conflict spreads throughout the Middle East.
Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas and backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting it had fired “Fadi 1” missiles at a military base south of Haifa and targeted Tiberias, located 65 kilometers away. Israeli police confirmed that several rockets hit Haifa, resulting in ten injuries.
The Israeli military stated that five rockets were fired from Lebanon, with some intercepted, while others landed in the city, causing minor injuries and property damage.
In addition, fifteen rockets were directed at Tiberias, with Israeli defenses managing to intercept many, though five still struck the area. The situation escalated further as two drones were launched toward central Israel, triggering sirens in Rishon Lezion and Palmachim.
Israeli forces intercepted the drones, but details about their origin remain unclear. This incident marks another significant chapter in the conflict that reignited following the October 7 attack by Hamas.
Simultaneously, Hamas executed a missile strike on Tel Aviv, Israel’s economic center, activating air raid sirens in central regions. Many Israelis, initially demoralized by last year’s security failures, have regained confidence in the military due to recent successful strikes against Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon.
Overnight, Israel intensified its air campaign against Hezbollah, targeting densely populated neighborhoods in southern Beirut, where the group is based. Israel accuses Hezbollah of using civilian structures to conceal command centers and weapons, a claim that Hezbollah refutes.
The ongoing airstrikes have displaced over 1.2 million people in Lebanon, raising fears that the country could suffer similar devastation as Gaza. Mohammed Kanso, a displaced Lebanese man, expressed despair: “I never imagined we would reach this point. Israel has already destroyed Palestine, and now they want to destroy us too?” He and his son have been living on the streets, unable to afford shelter or medicine.
