April 6, 2023 | Flash Brief

IDF Intercepts Rocket Barrage from Lebanon

April 6, 2023 | Flash Brief

IDF Intercepts Rocket Barrage from Lebanon

Latest Developments

Dozens of rockets were launched into northern Israel from Lebanon on Thursday, potentially opening a new front after similar salvoes were fired from Gaza. This development comes amid Palestinian rioting in al-Aqsa mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. A spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Hamas was behind the attack, although the U.S.-designated terror group did not claim responsibility.

The IDF confirmed a total of 34 rocket launches into Israel’s Galilee region, forcing residents into bomb shelters. The IDF’s Aerial Defense Array intercepted 25 of the rockets, while five landed inside Israeli territory, and four are unaccounted for. Shrapnel from the rockets hit and lightly injured two Israelis, a 26-year-old man riding a motorcycle and a 19-year-old man driving in his car. Both individuals were transported to a hospital and are in stable condition.

Expert Analysis

“Terrorists backed by the regime in Iran are firing missiles at Israel from its northern and southern borders in Lebanon and Gaza, inciting violence in Jerusalem and attacking U.S. troops in Syria. It is time for American and Israeli direct action targeting the head of the octopus in Tehran — Iran’s supreme leader and his revolutionary guards — not only at its terrorist tentacles.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“There is now an Iran-backed effort to hit Israel on four fronts: Lebanon, Gaza, West Bank and Jerusalem. The actions are coordinated through a nerve center that connects Iran and its proxies operating on Israel’s periphery. And they’re wielding Ramadan as the predicate. All of this comes amidst reports that the regime in Tehran seeks to test Israel’s resolve. The regime is bringing the region perilously close to the brink of war.” – Jonathan Schanzer, FDD Senior Vice President for Research

Background

Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Shiite militia and U.S.-designated terrorist organization, exercises control over most of Lebanon. The group denied responsibility for today’s rocket attacks but would almost certainly have had advance knowledge. At the time of the attack, the Gaza-based Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was visiting Lebanon. The barrage is the largest from Lebanon since a month-long war between Israel and Hezbollah in 2006, during which the terror group fired thousands of rockets.  

Palestinian militants in Gaza fired rockets toward other parts of Israel late Wednesday and early Thursday after Palestinian rioters armed with fireworks, batons, and stones barricaded themselves in the al-Aqsa Mosque Tuesday night and refused to exit peacefully. After unsuccessful negotiations with the occupants, Israeli forces entered the site, and the Palestinians inside responded with violence. 

Security Chiefs Assembled

Despite the Passover holiday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened Israeli security chiefs to assess the situation. Israeli officials have long been concerned by Hezbollah’s buildup of arms on the border with Israel, with estimates of a stockpile of approximately 130,000 rockets — significantly more than the estimated 15,000 Hezbollah had in its arsenal prior to 2006.

Related Analysis 

Palestinian Rioters Attack Israeli Forces at al-Aqsa Mosque,” Flash Brief

Pray for Peace This Ramadan,” by Jonathan Schanzer and Natalie Ecanow

Hezbollah Suspected in Cross-Border Attack Inside Israel,” by Joe Truzman

Issues:

Arab Politics Hezbollah Iran Global Threat Network Israel Lebanon