Hezbollah launches rockets at Israel, vows to intensify attacks after strike

On Wednesday, Lebanese militant group Hezbollah launched a series of rocket attacks on Israel, vowing to escalate its assaults following an Israeli strike that killed a senior commander in south Lebanon the previous day. The group has been engaged in near-daily cross-border confrontations with the Israeli army since its Palestinian ally Hamas' attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in a conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Escalation of Exchanges

The exchanges between Hezbollah and the Israeli army have witnessed an escalation in recent weeks. Hezbollah has increased its use of drones to target Israeli military positions, while Israel has responded with targeted strikes against the militants.

Hezbollah's Response

At the funeral of commander Taleb Sami Abdallah, who was killed in the Israeli strike, senior Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine declared, "We will increase the intensity, strength, quantity, and quality of our attacks." The militant group claimed to have launched "dozens of Katyusha rockets" at three bases and a barracks in northern Israel, in addition to striking a "military factory" with guided missiles in response to the assassination carried out by Israel.

Israeli Army's Response

The Israeli army reported that over 150 "projectiles" had been fired from Lebanon in three successive barrages, causing fires in parts of northern Israel. While some projectiles were intercepted, others struck inside Israel. In retaliation, the Israeli army struck several sites in south Lebanon.

Elimination of Senior Commander

The Israeli army confirmed the "elimination" of Taleb Sami Abdallah, referring to him as "one of Hezbollah's most senior commanders in southern Lebanon" and attributing numerous terror attacks against Israeli civilians to him. Abdallah, along with three Hezbollah comrades, was killed in the Israeli strike on Jouaiyya, 15 kilometers from the border.

Reaction to the Commander's Death

Hezbollah urged its supporters to attend Abdallah's funeral in the southern suburbs of Beirut, honoring him as "one of the knights of the resistance." The strike that killed Abdallah was described as "a harsh blow" to the group by the pro-Hezbollah newspaper Al-Akhbar.

Assessment of the Situation

Amal Saad, a Britain-based Middle East specialist, opined that the death of the senior commander was unlikely to alter Hezbollah's calculations. She emphasized that civilian casualties were considered "red lines" for the group, and she suggested that the recent escalation in attacks aimed to pressure Israel and the US in ceasefire talks and strengthen Hamas's bargaining position.

Casualties and Displacement

More than eight months of cross-border violence have resulted in the deaths of at least 468 people in Lebanon, the majority of whom were fighters, along with 89 civilians. Israeli authorities reported the deaths of at least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians. The ongoing conflict has led to tens of thousands of displacements on both sides of the border since the violence erupted following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7.

Humanitarian Impact

The October 7 attack on Israel caused the deaths of 1,194 people, mostly civilians. In response, Israel's offensive against Hamas has resulted in the deaths of at least 37,202 people in Gaza, predominantly civilians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.