Hezbollah Retaliates Against IDF Strike, Launches Barrage of Missiles

Latest Developments

Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets at Israel on April 26 in retaliation against an Israeli strike that killed two Palestinian Islamist terrorists in Lebanon. The Iran-backed terrorist group launched about 30 Katyusha rockets toward the Mount Hermon area of northern Israel. No casualties were reported as Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system intercepted some rockets, while others failed to strike their targets.

Hezbollah justified the attack as retaliation for the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) successful drone strike against two allied commanders of the Palestinian Islamist al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya terrorist group earlier on the same day near Meidoun, Lebanon. The IDF reported that Mosab Khalaf and Bilal Khalaf commanded the group’s armed wing, the al-Fajr Forces. Mosab Khalaf had orchestrated numerous terrorist attacks against northern Israeli communities in coordination with Hamas’s Lebanese branch the IDF said.

On April 25, an anti-tank missile launched by Hezbollah killed IDF contractor Sharif Sawaed on Mount Dov, prompting the IDF to strike Hezbollah targets, including a weapons depot and rocket launcher, in Chebaa, Lebanon.

Expert Analysis

“Hezbollah continues to target Israel with drone attacks and rocket fire. Hezbollah launched several attacks on Israel during the Passover holiday, threatening Israel’s northern coastal cities and communities in northern Israel along the Lebanese border. The attacks illustrate that the Iranian-backed terrorist group refuses to back down. It is essential that Israel receive support to deter Hezbollah from further attacks.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“It’s noteworthy the Israeli military is also targeting Hezbollah’s partners in Lebanon. Much like Hamas and its affiliated armed organizations in Gaza, smaller groups like Jamaa Islamiya and the Amal Movement in Lebanon serve as support systems for Hezbollah by carrying out hostile acts against Israel.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Hezbollah’s Continued Attacks

Hezbollah began attacking Israel from southern Lebanon on October 8 — one day after Hamas’s massacre in southern Israel — threatening a major escalation. Since then, it has executed near-daily attacks on northern Israeli communities. The group has launched more than 3,100 rockets, missiles, and drones into Israel. Hezbollah claims that Israeli strikes have killed 289 of its members. Since the Gaza war began, Hezbollah’s attacks have killed nine civilians within Israel and 11 IDF soldiers and reservists.

Hezbollah’s threats required Israel to evacuate around 80,000 people from the northern border, many of whom are afraid to return while the Hezbollah threat persists. Israeli officials have publicly stated that, if diplomatic efforts to remove Hezbollah from Israel’s northern border fail, Israel will be forced to use force to remove them.

“Understanding Israel-Hezbollah Clashes Since October 7,” by Ahmad Sharawi

“Israeli Forces on Alert for Passover,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Claims to Target Multiple Sites in Northern Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Rocket Fire Wounds 18 in Northern Israel,” FDD Flash Brief