On Thursday, the Israeli army reported that Hezbollah, a powerful group in Lebanon, fired more than 120 rockets into northern Israel. This attack resulted in at least five people getting injured. Some of the rockets were intercepted, but many hit the ground, targeting cities like Haifa and other areas in northern Israel.
Among the rockets fired were large Iranian-made missiles called Qader-2. These missiles were launched from underground silos, which Hezbollah showcased in a recent video shared on X (formerly Twitter). A regional war monitor explained that this event marks a serious escalation in the ongoing conflict, highlighting Hezbollah’s advanced missile capabilities and growing military strength.
One explosion was heard near northern Tel Aviv, and it might have been caused by one of these incoming missiles. While Israel’s defense systems may have intercepted some, it remains uncertain which rockets managed to hit their targets.
Hezbollah has also released footage showing the launch of the Qader-2 missile from underground. This shows their capability to strike deep into Israeli territory, increasing concerns about the situation.
In response to Hezbollah’s attacks, Israel has been launching significant counterattacks in southern Beirut and other areas in southern Lebanon. Although neither side has provided detailed information about the fighting, some reports claim that Hezbollah has successfully halted the Israeli army’s advance. One news source from Lebanon claimed that the Israeli army suffered heavy losses, with more than 70 soldiers killed and over 600 injured, along with the destruction of 28 tanks and other military vehicles.
Meanwhile, the United States and Israel are urging the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, emphasizing that only the government army should hold weapons. Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, stated that all weapons should be in the hands of the state, but this is a challenging task since Hezbollah is the most heavily armed group in Lebanon.
In a separate effort, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is touring Gulf states to try to find a way to achieve peace between Israel and Hamas. He acknowledged that it’s still unclear if Hamas is ready to engage in talks. Blinken also announced $135 million in humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, although human rights organizations have accused Israel of blocking aid shipments, even those from the U.S.
As tensions rise and the conflict escalates, many are left wondering what the future holds for the region. With powerful missiles being launched and both sides engaged in fierce battles, the situation is becoming more dangerous by the day.
