The southern front ignited yesterday on both sides of the border, surpassing the levels of confrontation witnessed in recent weeks. It began with Israel targeting a Hezbollah leader in the Tyre area, to which Hezbollah responded by launching two explosive drones towards the Upper Galilee, causing injuries on the Israeli side. Subsequently, Israel targeted two vehicles also in the Tyre area, leading to the death of a leader mourned by the party. Is there more behind this escalation than the usual since October 8?
In a report by "France Press," it was indicated yesterday that after the unprecedented attack launched by Iran on Israel late Saturday to Sunday, it seems difficult to rule out the possibility of an Israeli response. Agnès Levallois, Deputy Director of the Institute for Middle Eastern Research and Studies in the Mediterranean and a professor at the Institute of Political Science in Paris, suggested through the French agency that the most realistic option is an open war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. This operation could enable Israel to respond without entering into a direct confrontation with Iran, as noted in "Naharnet."
In field developments, a source close to Hezbollah reported that a field leader responsible for the Nakoura area was killed due to an Israeli strike in the village of Ain Baal, located about 15 kilometers from the closest border point with Israel. The party later mourned Ismail Youssef Baz, who fell in Ain Baal. Following that, Hezbollah announced in a statement that it had shelled the Beit Hilal base with Katyusha rockets in response to Israeli assaults on secure villages, the most recent being in Ain Baal.
In the evening, Hezbollah mourned Mahmoud Ibrahim Fadlallah from the village of Ainatha, as well as Muhammad Hussein Mustafa Shahouri from the town of Shahabiya. They were likely killed in a raid in Shahabiya. For its part, the Israeli army announced the injury of four of its personnel inside Lebanese territory, shortly after Hezbollah stated that it had detonated explosive devices against Israeli soldiers who crossed the border.
In a related context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told new soldiers in the Israeli army yesterday that Iran stands behind Hamas, Hezbollah, and others. But we are determined to win there and defend ourselves in all sectors.
Amid threats from Israel that it would respond to the Iranian missile attack, Channel 13 reported that Defense Minister Yoav Galant toured the northern border with Lebanon yesterday. He addressed the soldiers, saying: Iran has failed in the attack. The Air Force aircraft operate everywhere; the skies over the Middle East are open, and we will know how to strike it wherever it is. During the tour, Galant assessed the situation on the border with the commander of the 146th Division, Brigadier General Israel Shomer, the commander of the 6th Brigade, Brigadier General Eitan Gil'ad, and the commanders of the battalions operating in the western Galilee sector. He reassured the wounded soldiers, saying: I am convinced that we will reach a stage where we will safely return citizens to their homes—either through military action or through agreement. It is better to agree, but we are preparing for all possibilities according to "Naharnet."
