Latest Developments
Hezbollah launched rockets at northern Israel amidst ongoing tensions at the Lebanese border. The Iranian-backed terrorist group fired approximately 20 rockets at northern Israel in the morning of December 22, according to reports. Hezbollah also targeted the Shomera area in northern Israel. Israel returned fire into Lebanon with artillery and struck the sources of the launches, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. “IDF fighter jets struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including military sites where Hezbollah terrorists operated, as well as terrorist infrastructure,” the IDF added.
Expert Analysis
“Hezbollah has escalated attacks against Israel. The terrorist group must be deterred and prevented from continuing to terrorize Israeli communities using rockets, drones, and anti-tank missiles. Hezbollah has acted to increase its attacks as Israel defeats Hamas in Gaza. Iran is using Hezbollah to try to prevent the defeat of Hamas by trying to draw Israel into a war in Lebanon. Hezbollah must be removed from the border region so that Israeli civilians, who were evacuated in October, can return.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow
“Under any other circumstance, there would already be a major war between the Lebanese Hezbollah and Israel. The Iran-backed group has fired hundreds of anti-tank missiles and drones at Israel since October 8. The only thing holding back Israel right now is the United States. And it is unclear how much longer Washington can restrain the Israelis. An estimated 100,000 Israeli citizens have been ordered to move from their homes on the border because of Hezbollah aggression. This is not sustainable. If a new diplomatic arrangement is not reached, Lebanon could be the next major front to erupt.” — Jonathan Schanzer, Senior Vice President, FDD.
Israel Ready to Push Hezbollah Away from Border
IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said on December 21 that Israel “struck a series of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including launch sites, military buildings, and additional terrorist infrastructure.” He asserted that Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a war zone. This “continues to endanger the future of the entire state of Lebanon for the sake of Hamas and Iran. We are in a very high state of readiness and will continue to act decisively to push Hezbollah away from the border,” he added. Significant numbers of ground forces and aircraft remain deployed to Israel’s north.
Anti-Tank Missiles Fired at Israeli Border Community
Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at the northern Israel community of Avivim on December 21. The missiles caused damage to civilian areas in the community. One of the missiles struck a parked car. Hezbollah escalated attacks on December 21, also using a drone to infiltrate northern Israel. Hezbollah has used drones to attack IDF forces in the north. The group has killed five Israeli civilians in attacks since Hezbollah began attacking Israel in the wake of the Hamas attack on October 7.