Hezbollah Drone Strikes Israeli Apartment Building in Nahariya

Latest Developments

The Iran-backed terrorist group Hezbollah launched more than 20 rockets and two drones at northern Israel on September 9. No injuries were reported, but one of the drones struck a residential building in the coastal city of Nahariya, badly damaging two apartments. “I was sitting with my insurance agent, and suddenly there was siren after siren,” Shahar Toledano, whose apartment was struck by the drone, told local media.

The barrage followed overnight strikes by the Israeli Air Force on Hezbollah military structures and a rocket launcher in the areas of Kfarkela, Taybeh, Hanine, and Yarine in southern Lebanon. Additionally, Israeli jets struck a Hezbollah military structure in the area of Khirbet Selm in southern Lebanon on September 8, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The attack on September 9 came after several days of Hezbollah escalation in which the Iranian-backed terrorist group launched dozens of rockets at northern Israel.

Expert Analysis

“The drone attack on a residential building in the northern Israeli city of Nahariya confirms Hezbollah’s determination to maintain these attacks on Israel. Iran’s proxy in Lebanon has launched more than 8,000 rockets at Israel in 11 months of attacks, raining terror down upon civilians in northern Israel.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Citizens from Nahariya must make a difficult choice: move away from the border for who knows how long, separating from family, friends, and schools, or stay put and risk getting killed by indiscriminate Hezbollah rockets. Nobody should have to face this dilemma, and the international community’s silence has been shameful.” — David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

U.S. Central Command Head General Visits Northern Israel

The head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, arrived in Israel on September 8 to meet with his Israeli counterparts and visit the Israel Defense Forces Northern Command. “The general’s visit focuses on current threats, with an emphasis on threats from Lebanon and Iran in the northern arena,” the IDF said. General Kurilla visited northern Israel and met with IDF Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, the head of Israel’s Northern Command. Kurilla received an operation briefing from the IDF. “The IDF will continue to deepen its relationship with the U.S. Armed Forces, due to our commitment to strengthening regional stability and the coordination between the militaries,” the IDF stated.

Related Analysis

“Hezbollah Launches Fifty Rockets at Israel, Striking Town in Golan,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Unveils Vast Underground Missile Complex,” FDD Flash Brief

“IDF Officer Killed in Hezbollah Drone Attack on Northern Israel,” FDD Flash Brief