Hezbollah Escalates Drone, Rocket Attacks on Israel

Latest Developments

Hezbollah said it launched four drones carrying explosives at northern Israel on March 11. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that sirens sounded in the Golan Heights due to a “hostile aircraft infiltration in the northern Golan area” and that “two aerial targets that crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory that fell in open areas were identified.” In response, the IDF struck a Hezbollah military site in the area of Jibbain, Lebanon. Hezbollah said its latest attack came in support of Palestinian terrorist groups in Gaza.

Expert Analysis

“Hezbollah has increasingly escalated its attacks on Israel. The Iranian-backed terrorist organization believes it has impunity to continue to target civilian communities in northern Israel. The attacks have forced 80,000 Israelis from their homes. Hezbollah must be deterred from further attacks, and it is essential that Israel be supported in its response to Hezbollah’s escalation.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Two things are clear: Nasrallah is not deterred and the ceasefire agreement under negotiation will do little to nothing to remove the threat Israel faces. Iran and Hezbollah see massive U.S. pressure on Israel to de-escalate on all fronts, and that invites continued attacks and escalation to increase their own leverage.” — Richard Goldberg, FDD Senior Advisor

Hezbollah Fires More Than 80 Rockets at Northern Israel

Hezbollah fired more than 80 rockets at northern Israel on March 10, setting off sirens in numerous Israeli communities. More than 30 launches targeted the area around Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights, the IDF said. Footage shows the Iron Dome air defense system intercepting many of the rockets over the Golan. The IDF responded to the Hezbollah assault by striking the launchers used to fire the rockets. Hezbollah attacks have displaced 80,000 Israeli civilians, whom Israel evacuated in October when the terrorist group began its thousands of rocket and drone attacks on northern Israeli communities.

Lebanese Citizens Concerned Hezbollah Could Drag Country Into Wider War

Lebanese citizens have increasingly expressed concern that Hezbollah’s attacks could drag Lebanon into a wider war, IDF Arabic spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avichay Adraee said on March 11. “Lebanese users have tried reaching out to Israeli authorities through him in attempts to deescalate tensions amid months of border skirmishes between Israel and the Iranian-backed terrorist group, which increasingly appear to be on the brink of full-scale war,” Ynet reported on March 10.

Related Analysis

“Terrorist Rockets Target Northern Israeli Town,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Attack on Northern Israel Kills One, Injures Nine,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Intercepts Rockets Near Haifa,” FDD Flash Brief