Israel Engages in Multiple Fronts During Yom Kippur for the First Time Since 1973
Hezbollah Fires Rockets into Northern Israel
On Saturday, the Lebanese Hezbollah launched dozens of rockets into northern Israel. This resulted in emergency warning sirens sounding in Israeli cities throughout the day, including in Tel Aviv. The rocket and drone launches are taking place during the Yom Kippur holiday weekend. Israel is currently on 'high alert', with local media noting that this is the first Yom Kippur that Israel has spent at war on multiple fronts since the 1970s.
First Active War on Yom Kippur Since 1973
As described by the Times of Israel, Israel shut down late on Friday afternoon for Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement and the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. This is the first time since 1973 that the country has been involved in an active war on this Holy Day. The emergency situation has left many streets throughout the country empty, a sight also attributed to the 'high holy day'.
High Alert and Rocket Fire
The country remains on high alert, with troops continuing combat operations in Lebanon and Gaza. Special alert systems are in place to warn the population amid near-constant rocket fire and escalating tensions with Iran. More than 120 rockets were fired at Israel in the first hours of the holiday.
Historic "Yom Kippur War"
On October 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria launched a coordinated surprise attack against Israel on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. This was also during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The equivalent of the total forces of NATO in Europe was mobilized on Israel’s borders. On the Golan Heights, approximately 180 Israeli tanks faced an onslaught of 1,400 Syrian tanks. Along the Suez Canal, fewer than 500 Israeli defenders with only three tanks were attacked by 600,000 Egyptian soldiers, backed by 2,000 tanks and 550 aircraft.
Hezbollah's New Warnings
Hezbollah has not only vowed to launch more rockets, but it has also begun issuing new 'warnings' to Israeli civilians. This comes as Iran and Israel are on the brink of a direct shooting war, and paramilitaries in Iraq and the Houthis of Yemen have also pledged to attack. The Iran-linked Lebanese paramilitary group has stated that it will target residential buildings and bases in northern Israel believed to be used by the Israeli military.
Warnings from Both Sides
The group's statement on Telegram mirrors the type of warnings the IDF has issued for weeks. Israel has advised Lebanese civilians to evacuate areas of south Beirut, including residential buildings, alleging that Hezbollah uses them for operations. Israel has also accused Hezbollah of storing weapons in Lebanese civilian homes, including in the south of the country. Recent weeks have seen a high civilian casualty count as the IDF bombs several areas of Lebanon.
Continuing Conflict
All signs suggest that the war in Lebanon will not end soon, despite the Israeli army previously stating that its offensive would only last a few weeks. Israel could launch a major attack on Iranian oil or even nuclear and military sites at any moment.
Bottom Line
The current situation in Israel is a stark reminder of the volatility and complexity of the Middle East. The escalation of tensions and the involvement of multiple actors make the resolution of the conflict increasingly challenging. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think there's a peaceful resolution in sight? Share this article with your friends and let's discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.
