Hezbollah Launches Iranian Missiles at Tel Aviv from Underground Silos
Hezbollah's Attack on Israel
The Israeli army has reported that Hezbollah in Lebanon fired over 120 rockets on Thursday, causing at least five injuries. Despite some of the incoming projectiles being intercepted, a number of rockets hit the ground. This is as the Shia paramilitary group, backed by Iran, continues to target Haifa and other sites across northern Israel. Some of the launches in the last 24 hours seem to have included large Iranian-made surface-to-surface missiles. Hezbollah channels have publicized the recent launch of these missiles.
Hezbollah's Use of Advanced Military Technology
A regional war monitor reported that a video published on X (formerly Twitter) on October 23, 2024, showed Hezbollah combatants launching Iranian-made Qader-2 surface-to-surface cruise missiles from underground silos aimed at Israeli territory. This signifies a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, demonstrating Hezbollah's growing missile capabilities and its increasing dependence on advanced military technology. The group began showcasing Qader-2 launches about a week or more ago.
At least one large explosion was heard in or above northern Tel Aviv on Wednesday, and it may have been the inbound Qader-2. Israel's anti-air defense systems may have intercepted it, but amid the fog of war, it remains unclear which projectiles make it through to hit the ground or buildings and which are intercepted.
Israel's Response to Hezbollah's Attacks
In response, Israel has continued large attacks on the south Beirut area, as well as in southern Lebanon. Neither side has issued specific details on what exactly is unfolding day-to-day in the ground war in southern Lebanon.
Some regional reports have claimed that Hezbollah has halted the Israeli army's advance. While impossible to verify with certainty, one Lebanon-based news source cited the following:
“The enemy's losses, according to what the Islamic Resistance fighters monitored, amounted to more than 70 dead and more than 600 wounded officers and soldiers of the Israeli enemy army,” the statement said.
It adds that 28 Merkava tanks, four military bulldozers, an armed vehicle, and an armored troop carrier were destroyed by the Lebanese resistance.
US and Israel's Call for Lebanese Government's Intervention
The US and Israel have continued to urge the Lebanese government to take actions to disarm Hezbollah, or else weaken the group.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati has said that only the government army should carry weapons, but the statement will have no effect, as Hezbollah is by far the most well-armed entity in Lebanon. "Lebanese authorities must deploy over [all] Lebanese territory and weapons should be carried only by the state and the Lebanese army," Mikati said in Paris.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinking is touring the Gulf states, still trying to salvage a potential Israel-Hamas peace deal. "We haven’t yet really determined whether Hamas is prepared to engage, but the next step is getting the negotiators together… we’ll certainly learn more in the coming days." he said.
The situation in south Gaza continues to get more desperate:
He also announced another $135 million in humanitarian aid for the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank; however, human rights organizations have accused Israel of routinely blocking outside aid, even when it is sent from Washington.
Bottom Line
The escalating conflict between Hezbollah and Israel is a cause for concern, with the former's use of advanced military technology marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The situation in south Gaza is also worsening, with the desperate need for humanitarian aid. What are your thoughts on this escalating conflict? Do you think the attempts to salvage a potential Israel-Hamas peace deal will be successful? Share this article with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is every day at 6 pm.
