The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah escalated its military operations on Thursday, launching coordinated strikes against Israeli military infrastructure and settlements while continuing ground engagements along the southern border.
Hezbollah reported targeting the headquarters of the Israeli army's Northern Command (Dado base) north of Safed with a missile salvo. The group also deployed a swarm of attack drones against Iron Dome systems at the Burya base west of Lake Tiberias.
Operations extended to multiple settlements and military positions, including Kiryat Shmona, Al-Manara, and Al-Mutla, as well as artillery sites and forward positions near the border. Hezbollah emphasized that the attacks were carried out in defense of Lebanon and in response to ongoing Israeli strikes on civilians and infrastructure.
Hezbollah fighters engaged Israeli occupation forces attempting to advance into southern Lebanon, particularly in Qantara and Deir Siryan. Clashes involved light and medium weapons, as well as rocket-propelled grenades, and were described as occurring at “point-blank range.â€
The resistance successfully repelled Israeli infiltration attempts, reportedly causing confirmed casualties among Israeli troops. In one incident, fighters targeted Israeli forces near a mosque and school in Deir Siryan, while another engagement occurred along the road to Qantara, where advancing Israeli units were met with direct fire.
Hezbollah indicated that Israeli armored units suffered considerable losses during the intensified border clashes. The group reported multiple strikes against Merkava tanks across several locations, with repeated direct hits from guided missiles.
During one engagement, an Israeli helicopter attempting to evacuate wounded soldiers was targeted by an air defense missile and forced to retreat.
Beyond the border, Hezbollah carried out strikes deeper into Israeli-held territory, including attacks on the Israeli Ministry of War headquarters (the Kirya) in central Tel Aviv and the Dolphin barracks, which are linked to military intelligence.
These operations reflect Hezbollah's ongoing strategy of combining frontline engagements with strikes on strategic and command centers.
Israeli sources confirmed mounting pressure on their forces. The Israeli army reported the killing of a soldier from the Golani Brigade, with at least 15 soldiers wounded overnight.
Channel 12 correspondents described the situation as “a very difficult morning,†citing an ambush targeting an elite Golani unit in the early hours. Israeli media also reported that hundreds of rockets and drones were launched within a 24-hour period.
The escalation in Lebanon coincides with increased activity by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq. Over the past 24 hours, the group carried out 23 operations using drones targeting US-linked positions in Iraq and across the region.
The recent developments indicate a broader regional campaign, with multiple fronts remaining active simultaneously as the conflict continues to intensify. (ILKHA)
