IDF Reserve Brigades Deployed in Northern Israel as Hezbollah Launches Ballistic Missile at Tel Aviv

Latest Developments

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it is dispatching two reserve brigades to be deployed in northern Israel as Operation Northern Arrows targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon entered its third day on September 25. An IDF statement said that the deployment “will allow the continuation of the fighting effort against the Hezbollah terror organization, the protection of the citizens of the State of Israel, and the creation of the conditions for the safe return of the [displaced] residents of the north to their homes.” The IDF’s move came on the same day that the Iran-backed terrorist organization launched a ballistic missile at Tel Aviv that was intercepted by Israel’s “David’s Sling” air defense system. Hezbollah said that the target of its Iranian-made Ghadr 1 medium-range ballistic missile was the headquarters of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, which it accused of coordinating the elimination of key Hezbollah leaders in air strikes over the past week, as well as the detonation of thousands of communications devices that are understood to have placed at least 1,500 Hezbollah terrorists out of action.

Expert Analysis

“Since the Israelis finally unleashed their retaliation last week in response to months of Hezbollah provocations, the unwritten rules of engagement have been that the hostilities are still limited mainly to southern Lebanon and northern Israel. But Hezbollah — clearly on the ropes following the opening salvo of Operation Northern Arrows — has been attacking targets beyond Haifa and closer to Tel Aviv, culminating in this 85-mile-range launch. If past IDF strategy is any indication, Israel will move its retaliation up another level with punishing costs for the Iran-backed terror army.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“Hezbollah’s targeting of an area near Tel Aviv is part of the Iranian-backed terrorist group seeking to extend its attacks on Israel. The goal of Hezbollah is to normalize attacks on Tel Aviv and central Israel as it seeks to show it can threaten all of Israel and respond to Israel’s strikes on Hezbollah’s launchers and leadership. The launching of a long-range ballistic missile from Lebanon at Israel illustrates the devastating threat Hezbollah poses to Israel and the wider region.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

Hezbollah Pounds Northern Israel With Rockets, Wounding Two Civilians

Hezbollah pounded northern Israel with several barrages of rockets on September 25, wounding two male civilians, one of them seriously, in a direct hit on Kibbutz Sa’ar near the city of Nahariya. The IDF carried out strikes on some 280 Hezbollah sites on the same day, with targets including the rocket launchers used in attacks on Safed and Nahariya and towns east of Haifa. Israel has escalated strikes on Hezbollah since Operation Northern Arrows was launched on September 23. Speaking to the troops of the 7th Armored Brigade on September 25, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzl Halevi said that Israel may yet launch a ground operation in Lebanon. “Today we will continue, we do not stop, we continue to attack and continue to strike [Hezbollah] everywhere. The goal is a very clear goal, to return the [displaced] residents of the north safely,” Halevi said. More than 60,000 Israelis have been displaced from their homes in northern Israel during the last 11 months of conflict.

Related Analysis

“Israeli Strike on Beirut Eliminates Hezbollah Missile Chief,” FDD Flash Brief

“IDF Calls on Lebanese Civilians to Leave Areas Where Hezbollah Is Active,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Launches Fresh Barrage of Rocket Attacks Deep Into Northern Israel,” FDD Flash Brief