Hezbollah Launches Rocket Attack on Israel on Anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7 Strike

On October 7, the Hezbollah terrorist group launched rockets at Haifa, Israel’s third largest city, as Israeli forces prepared to expand ground incursions into southern Lebanon on the first anniversary of a previous attack by Hamas in 2023.

Backed by Iran, Hezbollah targeted a military base south of Haifa using “Fadi 1” missiles and also struck Tiberias and areas north of Haifa with missiles later in the day. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported carrying out extensive bombings of Hezbollah targets in south Lebanon.

Israeli air strikes targeted southern Beirut with the most intense bombardment since the campaign against Hezbollah began. Fighter jets hit the terrorist group’s intelligence headquarters and weapons storage facilities. Additional strikes were carried out on other Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa area.

The Lebanese National News Agency reported more than 30 overnight strikes on October 6, while Israel reported about 130 projectiles fired from Lebanon into its territory. Casualties were reported on both sides.

Hezbollah was accused by the IDF of endangering civilians by embedding command centers and weapons under residential buildings in Beirut.

Israel remained on high alert on October 7, marking the first anniversary of the deadly Hamas attack, which led to a military offensive in the Gaza Strip resulting in significant casualties.

The IDF intercepted over 120 projectiles launched from Lebanon into Israel ahead of the anniversary.

The Israeli Air Force intercepted suspicious aerial targets on October 7, following sirens activating in central Israeli regions. The military also thwarted threats from Hamas and reported Gaza-fired projectiles intercepted or landing in open areas.

Reuters contributed to this report.