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Lebanon’s Hezbollah hits 19 positions in Israel simultaneously

Hamas's armed wing, the al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for rocket attacks on Kiryat Shmona, Israel, while Hezbollah launched attacks on 19 Israeli positions. Hezbollah used drones with explosives for the first time. Ongoing border clashes have led to evacuations, with both sides showing restraint. Nasrallah's upcoming speech raises regional tensions.

In recent developments in the Middle East, the armed wing of Hamas, known as the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed responsibility for a rocket attack on the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona. This attack resulted in injuries and damage to buildings. Simultaneously, Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia militant group, launched an attack on 19 positions in Israel, marking an escalation on Israel’s northern border. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are considered proxies of Iran.

Hezbollah’s Drone Attacks

Hezbollah, for the first time, admitted to using drones filled with explosives to target an Israeli army command position in the disputed Shebaa Farms area on the Lebanese-Israeli border.
The Shebaa Farms area is a source of territorial dispute, with Israel claiming control since the 1967 war, while both Syria and Lebanon assert it belongs to Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s use of drones and surface-to-air missiles against Israeli forces signifies a shift in their tactics.

Ongoing Border Clashes

Since October 7th, Hezbollah fighters have been engaging in exchanges of fire with Israeli forces along the Israeli-Lebanese border.
These tensions have prompted large-scale evacuations in the region. Despite the clashes, both sides appear to be trying to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.

Hezbollah’s Arsenal and Israel’s Response

Hezbollah has a substantial arsenal of longer-range rockets but has, thus far, refrained from using them.
Instead, they have focused on targeting positions within their line of sight from across the border. Israel, on the other hand, maintains a readiness to respond to Hezbollah in Lebanon if necessary.
Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, the head of the Israel Defense Forces, has warned of Israel’s preparedness to fight on multiple fronts.

Potential Implications and Nasrallah’s Speech

The upcoming speech by Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, is closely watched in the region.
Some analysts suggest that Hezbollah may perceive the conflict in Gaza as an existential threat, and they fear that if Israel achieves its objectives in Gaza, it might turn its attention to Hezbollah next.
This situation raises concerns about the broader regional dynamics and the potential for escalation.

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