Hezbollah Targets Northern Israel with Rocket Fire

Latest Developments

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing rockets at a community in northern Israel on January 15. The attack came one day after Hezbollah used an anti-tank missile to target a civilian home in northern Israel, killing a mother and her son. In response to that attack, Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari asserted, “Hezbollah is a murderous terrorist organization that kills civilians. We will not allow harm to civilians; the price for this will not only be extracted tonight but also in the future,” Hagari said.

Expert Analysis

“Hezbollah threats continue to grow in northern Israel. The group targets civilians with impunity. It is essential that Hezbollah be deterred and that its ability to target civilians from southern Lebanon be prevented. Iranian-backed proxies have cynically exploited the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 to try to set the Middle East ablaze. Israel must be supported by its allies in partners in its response to Hezbollah’s daily attacks.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Hezbollah’s strategy is to create an environment in northern Israel that will keep the Israeli military’s resources tied up and under pressure as the war continues to unfold in the Gaza Strip. However, this strategy is not producing the desired results as it has not seriously impeded Israel’s advancements against Hamas. Moreover, it has exacted a steep cost to Hezbollah in manpower, assets, and has resulted in the loss of high-ranking commanders.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

2,000 Rockets Fired From Lebanon at Israel Since War Began

The IDF published interim data on the war with Hamas, disclosing that approximately 2,000 rockets have been fired at Israel from Lebanon since October 7. The IDF also says Israel has eliminated 170 terrorists in the “northern arena,” which refers to threats from Lebanon by terrorist groups such as Hezbollah. Israel published the interim data to coincide with 100 days of war in Gaza. Iran-backed Hezbollah has supported Hamas since the war began attacking Israel daily from the north.

Terrorists Attempt to Infiltrate Israel from Lebanon

Terrorists attempted to infiltrate Israel overnight between January 13 and 14. “During the night, reservist soldiers guarding the Har [Mount] Dov area for the past three months identified a terrorist cell that had infiltrated from Lebanese territory,” IDF spokesperson Hagari said on January 14. Mount Dov is an area of several square miles on the Israel-Lebanon-Syria border which Hezbollah claims is part of Lebanon. An infiltration in this area represents a new type of escalation by the terrorist group. The terrorists were armed with AK-47s and grenades.  “We are strengthening our defenses at the borders, with a clear policy of not allowing border infiltration,” the IDF said.

Related Analysis

“Elderly Israeli and Son Killed in Terror Attack on Israel-Lebanon Border,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Attacks Israel Using Kamikaze Drones,” FDD Flash Brief

“Elite Hezbollah Commander Killed in Lebanon,” FDD Flash Brief