Hezbollah/ Israel rocket fire/ Middle East conflict/ Lebanese displacement/ Gaza fighting/ Newslooks/ BEIRUT/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Hezbollah’s acting leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, warned on Tuesday of escalating rocket strikes into Israel, signaling that even more Israelis may be displaced. Kassem asserted that the group’s leadership and military strength remain intact despite heavy Israeli airstrikes, while intense battles continue in both Lebanon and Gaza.
Hezbollah Intensifies Rocket Fire Amid Rising Conflict: Quick Looks
- Hezbollah’s Escalation: Acting leader Naim Kassem vows increased rocket attacks into Israel.
- Leadership Replacement: Hezbollah claims it has replaced commanders lost in recent Israeli strikes.
- Rising Displacement: Israel and Lebanon experience extensive displacement due to ongoing attacks.
- Israeli Defense Operations: Israel’s strikes aim to dismantle Hezbollah’s northern Lebanon positions.
- Gaza Front: Heavy Israeli attacks in northern Gaza continue alongside Lebanon’s conflict.
Hezbollah Vows to Escalate Rocket Attacks as Conflict with Israel Deepens
Deep Look
Hezbollah’s acting leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, announced Tuesday that Israel could face expanded rocket fire and further civilian displacement as the group escalates its offensive amid heightened regional conflict. In a televised statement marking the anniversary of intensified hostilities, Kassem claimed that Hezbollah’s leadership structure and military capabilities remain intact, despite Israel’s recent aerial strikes that killed several of the group’s top commanders.
Hezbollah Warns of Extended Conflict
Speaking from an undisclosed location, Kassem emphasized that Hezbollah’s military operations continue, with hundreds of rockets and drones deployed toward Israeli targets. “Our capabilities are fine, and our fighters are deployed along the frontlines,” Kassem said, indicating that top Hezbollah commanders lost in recent Israeli strikes have already been replaced. The acting leader vowed to intensify rocket fire into Israel, potentially forcing more evacuations in northern Israel, as the conflict deepens.
Kassem’s comments follow the death of Hezbollah’s long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike last month. Despite the loss, Kassem stated Hezbollah’s leadership remains operational, though appointing a formal successor has been delayed due to the ongoing war. Hezbollah reiterated that it will halt rocket attacks only if a cease-fire is reached in Gaza, an option that has seen little progress despite diplomatic efforts.
Intensified Fighting Across Borders
Amid escalating tensions, Israel continues a ground operation in Lebanon, primarily aimed at clearing Hezbollah’s military infrastructure near the northern border. Israel has deployed a fourth military division in the area, expanding operations westward, though movement appears contained within a narrow strip along the frontier. The Israeli military reported that it has dismantled a network of Hezbollah positions and killed hundreds of Hezbollah fighters over recent weeks. On Tuesday, Israeli strikes reportedly killed Suhail Husseini, a senior Hezbollah commander managing logistics and financial operations.
Meanwhile, the border conflict’s intensity has forced large-scale evacuations. The Israeli military reported 85 projectiles launched from Lebanon on Tuesday alone, triggering air raid sirens as far south as Haifa. While most missiles were intercepted, Israeli authorities reported a 70-year-old woman sustained injuries from shrapnel, and minor structural damage was recorded in Haifa.
Conflict Expands to Central Israel
Hezbollah’s rocket range has extended deeper into Israel, reaching areas previously untouched, such as Tel Aviv. Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have also joined the conflict, launching long-range missiles toward Israel. Israel has managed to intercept most projectiles, minimizing casualties and property damage, though the expanded range has disrupted civilian life across the country.
The threat level escalated further last week when Iran launched approximately 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, a move it stated was retaliation for Israel’s targeted killing of Nasrallah, a high-ranking Iranian general, and Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s top leader. In response, Israel has pledged retaliation, though specifics remain undisclosed.
U.S. and Israeli Diplomacy Amid Conflict
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is currently in Washington for discussions with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The Biden administration maintains its support for Israel’s defense while voicing opposition to any Israeli action targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, which could inflame regional tensions further. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel in an interview with CBS’s “60 Minutes,” emphasizing continued aid while urging restraint.
Gaza Faces Intensifying Conflict
In Gaza, heavy fighting continues, particularly in the isolated northern region. Following a renewed evacuation order, Israel has targeted the densely populated areas of Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya. Israeli forces claim to have eliminated 20 Hamas militants and seized a significant stockpile of weapons during operations in Jabaliya. In the meantime, Palestinian medical personnel report mounting civilian casualties amid ongoing shelling and airstrikes.
The Gaza conflict began when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking hundreds of hostages. Since then, Israeli strikes have killed roughly 42,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza, with children and women constituting a significant portion of casualties.
