Israel Warns Hezbollah of 'All-Out War' Over Drone Footage of Israeli Locations

On Tuesday, Israel issued a stark warning to Hezbollah, signaling the potential for an "all-out war" after the Lebanese militant group released a 9-minute video reportedly taken by a drone. The video depicted Israeli military and civilian locations in several Israeli cities.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz articulated the severity of the situation, stating, “We are getting very close to the moment of deciding to change the rules of the game against Hezbollah and Lebanon.” He further emphasized, “In an all-out war, Hezbollah will be destroyed, and Lebanon severely beaten.”

Contents of the Video

The footage claimed to show locations such as Krayot, a cluster of residential cities north of Haifa, as well as a military complex near Haifa belonging to Israeli weapons manufacturer Rafael. The video also depicted military boats, ships, and oil storage depots in the port of Haifa.

The release of the video followed months of escalating cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israel, which began after the October 7 Hamas attacks and subsequent military actions by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza. The situation has led to increasing tensions between the parties.

International Concerns

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz highlighted the global repercussions of a potential attack on Haifa, stating, “Nasrallah is bragging today that he photographed the ports of Haifa, which are operated by huge international companies from China and India, and threatening to damage them.”

The US and its allies had previously cautioned Hezbollah against escalating the conflict, given its implications for the broader region. Despite these warnings, tensions have continued to mount in recent weeks.

Geolocation Analysis of the Video

CNN conducted a geolocation analysis of the video and identified sensitive areas around Haifa, including military installations, the port, oil tanks, the airport, and residential areas. The analysis suggested that the drone mission over Haifa lasted multiple hours or took place over multiple days. Additionally, parts of the video were found to have been sped up.

Weapons expert Wim Zwijnenburg, project leader for humanitarian disarmament at the Dutch peace organization PAX, identified the drone in the footage as an Iranian-origin model of a Qasaf-2k.

Mayor's Response

The mayor of Haifa, Yona Yahav, described the video as "psychological terror" and urged the government to develop a comprehensive defense plan for the city. He criticized IDF commanders for not having visited Haifa since the October 7 Hamas attack.

Hezbollah hinted at the possibility of more videos surfacing from within Israeli territory, with a lawmaker suggesting, “This is what the party announced and you saw, but what is hidden is greater and greater and greater! Haifa and beyond, beyond, and beyond Haifa.”

Israel's Military Preparedness

Israel has been making preparations for potential hostilities with Hezbollah, having "approved and validated" operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon. The country is also increasing the readiness of its troops in the field. While this does not indicate an imminent war, it signifies Israel’s intent to be prepared for such a scenario.

Escalating Hostilities

Hezbollah has reportedly launched more than 5,000 rockets, missiles, and drones at northern Israel since October 7, citing solidarity with the Palestinian people. In response, Israel has conducted numerous strikes in Lebanon and evacuated approximately 60,000 residents from the northern border.

The US has been actively seeking a diplomatic resolution to de-escalate tensions, sending special envoy Amos Hochstein to Israel and Lebanon. The goal is to prevent a wider war that could engulf the entire region.

The situation continues to be closely monitored as both sides remain on edge, with the potential for further developments.