Click to see full-size image. By Al-Manar TV correspondent Ali Shoeib.
Hezbollah ramped up attacks from southern Lebanon on December 17, targeting several positions and gathering of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) along the border.
The Iranian-backed group announced attacks against the Israeli military sites of Birkat Risha, Jal al-Alam and al-Raheb as well as the Avivim barracks and a newly-established headquarters near the settlement of Even Menachem.
It also said it had targeted gatherings of troops and equipment of the IDF in the border areas of Hanita, Horsh Adathar and Hunine.
Hezbollah fighters also struck a house occupied by four Israeli soldiers in the settlement of Sasa and destroyed surveillance equipment in the settlement of Doviev.
The attacks were carried out “to support the steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their brave and honorable resistance,” Hezbollah said.
In addition to these attacks, a salvo of rockets hit the settlement of Margaliot. No casualties were reported and Hezbollah didn’t claim the attack.
During the day, IDF fighter jets, attack helicopters, drones and main battle tanks hit several targets of Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, including weapons, observation posts, positions and fighters. Lebanese media didn’t report any casualties.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant made new threats to Hezbollah while visiting troops on the border with Lebanon in the morning.
“If Hezbollah wants to go up one level, we will go up five,” the minister said. “And it will be up to you … We don’t wish for that, we don’t want to get into a war situation. We want to restore peace.”
Gallant also vowed to restore security in northern Israel so that residents of Lebanon border settlements can return to their homes.
“And we will do this either through an agreement process, or with forceful action, with all its implications,” he said. “We don’t want war, but we won’t hold it for too long.”
Earlier this month, Israel warned it will no longer tolerate the presence of Hezbollah on its northern front, where it could attempt to carry out a surprise attack similar to that launched by the Hamas Movement from Gaza on October 7. The group continues to ignore this warning.
