Hezbollah Targets Northern Israel With Drones

Latest Developments

The Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah targeted northern Israel with several kamikaze drones in an attack on August 13. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted two of the one-way attack drones, the IDF said in a statement. Footage showed one of the drones being intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system. “An additional UAV was intercepted in Lebanese territory,” the IDF added. Sirens sounded in northern Israel due to the threat. The IDF also struck Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure overnight between August 12 and August 13, according to a statement from the Israeli military. The Israeli Air Force eliminated a Hezbollah observation post near Ayta ash Shab in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah uses the posts to prepare attacks on Israel.

Expert Analysis

“Hezbollah is seeking to increase its attacks on northern Israel after its murderous attack that killed 12 in Majdal Shams in July. The Iranian-backed terrorist group wants to create a perception that its attacks on northern Israel are a routine, daily event as a possible preparation for a larger attack by Iran and Hezbollah on Israel.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Hezbollah persists in launching daily attacks against northern Israel while contemplating a response to the elimination of Fuad Shukr. These assaults underscore the reality that Israelis cannot revert to the pre-October 8 status quo in northern Israel. However, without a viable diplomatic or military solution, the prospects of Hezbollah retreating from the Lebanon-Israel border remain slim.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Hezbollah Escalates Attacks as Iran Threatens Wider War

In the wake of Hezbollah’s killing of 12 children in a July 27 rocket attack on Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, the terrorist organization has escalated its attacks on Israel. The IDF has been on alert for a possible joint attack by Iran and Hezbollah in the wake of the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. “Over the past few days, we have been monitoring our enemies and developments in the Middle East, with an emphasis on Hezbollah as well as Iran,” IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said on August 12. “Simultaneously, we are striking in Lebanon every day, including today. We have increased the patrols of Israeli Air Force aircraft over Lebanese skies, in order to detect and remove threats. We are striking any threat we identify and are prepared to intercept threats in real time.” Hezbollah’s daily attacks included a large rocket barrage on August 11 and attacks on Metula, Mount Dov, and the Ramim ridge in northern Israel on August 12. Hezbollah also claimed in a statement on August 13 that it had targeted Israeli military sites on that same day.

Related Analysis

“Multiple Injuries in Northern Israel After Hezbollah Drone Attack,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Attack Threatens Full-Scale War With Israel,” by Jonathan Schanzer and David Daoud