On February 16, 2024, Hezbollah initiated a significant assault on northern Israel, launching 140 rockets in three waves. This action marks a notable escalation in the ongoing tensions between the Lebanese militant group and Israel.
The Israeli military reported that the rockets targeted various sites along the Lebanon-Israel border, an area that has seen frequent exchanges of fire. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that they had struck multiple locations, including air defense bases and, for the first time, the headquarters of an Israeli armored brigade.
This rocket barrage comes in the wake of a statement made by Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's leader, on February 15. Nasrallah pledged to maintain daily strikes against Israel, despite recent setbacks to the group's communication infrastructure.
The recent sabotage of Hezbollah's communication devices, including thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies, has been widely attributed to Israel, although Israeli authorities have neither confirmed nor denied involvement. This incident has heightened concerns about a potential escalation of the conflict.
"We will continue our daily strikes on Israel despite this severe blow to our communication systems."
The current situation is part of a broader context of hostilities that began on October 8, 2023, a day after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. Since then, Hezbollah and Israel have engaged in near-daily exchanges of fire along the border.
Hezbollah, founded in 1982 during the Lebanese Civil War, has a long history of conflict with Israel. The group's military wing is estimated to have around 25,000 active fighters and an arsenal of over 100,000 missiles. Hezbollah's influence extends beyond military capabilities, as it holds seats in the Lebanese parliament and operates a vast social services network in the country.
The organization receives substantial support from Iran, both financially and militarily. This backing has enabled Hezbollah to develop sophisticated capabilities, including cyber warfare and a complex network of tunnels along the Lebanon-Israel border.
As tensions continue to rise, the international community watches closely, aware of Hezbollah's significant role in regional politics and its potential to impact stability beyond Lebanon's borders. The group's ideology, which combines Shia Islamism with Lebanese nationalism, and its involvement in various conflicts, including the Syrian Civil War, further complicate the situation.
The recent escalation raises concerns about the potential for a full-scale conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, which could have far-reaching consequences for the entire region.