Israel Strikes Hezbollah Terror Sites in Lebanon 

Latest Developments 

Israeli fighter jets struck terror sites in Lebanon on November 17. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that strikes targeted “several Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon, including terrorist infrastructure, a weapons storage facility and a military structure.” The Israeli response followed continuing threats from Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which has launched numerous attacks against Israel since the Hamas massacre of 1,200 Israelis on October 7. The IDF also struck a terrorist cell that was threatening the northern Israeli border, the IDF said. 

Expert Analysis 

“Hezbollah has carried out dozens of attacks from Lebanon since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Iran-backed Hezbollah threatens Israel and U.S. forces in the region and has worked with other Iranian-backed terrorist groups to spread terror and destabilize the Middle East. The terrorist group seeks to exploit the war in Gaza to carry out attacks. Hezbollah must be deterred from further attacks.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow 

“Since October 7, terrorists in Lebanon have killed 10 Israelis. Israel has responded by striking Hezbollah and other terrorist targets in the north and has evacuated thousands of civilians from northern communities. For now, Israel seems to be reluctant to engage in a full-scale war in Lebanon, likely due to both Israel’s focus on the war with Hamas and sustained pressure from the United States not to open up a front against Hezbollah in Lebanon.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network 

Increased Hezbollah Threats From Lebanon 

Hezbollah terrorist leader Hassan Nasrallah called for more “resistance” against Israel in a speech on November 11. On November 15, Hezbollah launched several anti-tank missiles from Lebanon toward Israel. In response, the IDF carried out airstrikes on terror targets, including Hezbollah military posts. Israeli “soldiers struck a terrorist who was operating in Lebanese territory, adjacent to the area of Shlomi in northern Israel,” the IDF said on November 16. 

Hamas in Lebanon 

Hamas has carried out attacks on Israel from Lebanon. On November 6, Hamas fired 16 rockets from Lebanon, targeting Israeli towns and communities near the Lebanese border. In early April 2023, Hamas terrorists in Lebanon launched more than 30 rockets at Israel during the Passover holiday. In addition, Hamas has sought to expand its presence in Lebanon by infiltrating Palestinian communities in other areas of the country.  

Related Analysis 

“Israel Moves Against Pro-Hezbollah TV Station’s Local Operations,” FDD Flash Brief 

“Hezbollah Increases Attacks on Israel,” FDD Flash Brief 

“French Court Issues International Arrest Warrant for Syria’s Assad,” FDD Flash Brief