Rockets Fired From Syria Target Israel

Latest Developments

Five rockets were fired from Syria at Israel on January 1, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The rockets set off alarms in communities in the Golan Heights. In the early morning of January 2, Israeli aircraft retaliated by attacking the source of the rocket fire and striking military infrastructure in Syria. The tensions along the Golan border took place as Hezbollah carried out additional attacks on Israel from Lebanon.

Expert Analysis

“Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel continue even as Hamas rocket fire from Gaza has been reduced recently. The Iranian-backed threats to northern Israel have also increased from Syria. Iranian-backed terror groups in Syria and Lebanon must be deterred from further attacks, and Hezbollah should be removed from the border area, where it launches rockets and missiles daily.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“From drones and rockets to IRGC infrastructure to supply chains for Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria remains an important piece of Iran’s ring of fire targeting Israel. We should expect that any major escalation on Israel’s northern border will include Syria, not just Lebanon.” — Richard Goldberg, FDD Senior Advisor

Israel Responds to Escalation by Hezbollah

Hezbollah fired rockets at the Israeli community of Shlomi on January 2, the IDF said. Israel also carried out strikes against Hezbollah sites in the village of Yaroun, near the border in Lebanon. In addition, Hezbollah fired rockets at Kibbutz Adamit in northern Israel on January 1. The IDF targeted terrorist infrastructure in Lebanon in response.

Sirens sounded in numerous Israeli communities on January 1 and 2, including the city of Kiryat Shmona. IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said on the evening of January 1 that Israel had “eliminated a terrorist cell that tried to launch three Hezbollah UAVs from within a civilian area in Maroun El Ras in southern Lebanon. We struck before the attack was launched.” He also said Israel struck Hezbollah targets in Kfarkela, Maroun El Ras, and Labouna in southern Lebanon.

Israeli Resilience

Israel has evacuated communities in the north and the south of the country since the Hezbollah and Hamas attacks began in October. Hagari praised the resilience of the evacuees. “I want to address the residents of the south and the north — alongside the difficulty of leaving your home, your resilience in recent months is admirable and deserves great appreciation,” he said. “We understand your concerns. We will listen to every claim and in collaboration with civilian leadership will build the process of returning to the area.”

Related Analysis

“Hezbollah’s Provocations Wear Israel’s Patience Thin,” FDD Flash Brief

“UN Peacekeeper Injured After Mob Attack on Convoy in Southern Lebanon,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Fires Anti-Tank Missile at Church in Northern Israel,” FDD Flash Brief