Hezbollah Rocket Barrage Hits Northern Israel Amid Ceasefire Talks

On Monday, Hezbollah launched a massive rocket attack on northern Israel, injuring seven people, including a toddler. The strike, which involved nearly 190 rockets, targeted towns and villages across the Galilee, including Karmiel and Haifa. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted many of the rockets, but some caused significant damage and injuries.

The attack began around noon when rockets struck the Arab village of Bi'ina, injuring a 27-year-old woman, a 35-year-old man, and a 1-year-old girl. All three were rushed to Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya. The IDF confirmed that around 50 rockets were launched at the region, with many intercepted by air defenses. However, several rockets hit the Karmiel area and nearby towns, causing damage to property and injuring several people.

Hezbollah took responsibility for the attack, claiming they targeted a "training base for the Paratroopers Brigade" in Karmiel. The IDF responded by launching a drone strike that destroyed a Hezbollah rocket launcher used in the attack.

Haifa Targeted in Two Large Barrages

In the afternoon, Hezbollah launched around 90 rockets in two separate barrages aimed at Haifa, one of Israel's largest cities. The first barrage consisted of 80 rockets, many of which were shot down by the Iron Dome air defense system, but some struck residential areas, causing damage to homes and cars. The second barrage, consisting of 10 rockets, was mostly intercepted or hit open spaces.

Four people were injured in Haifa, including a 52-year-old man who was seriously wounded by shrapnel in Kiryat Ata, a suburb of Haifa. A teenager, an elderly man, and another adult man were lightly injured by flying glass or during a rush to take shelter.

Despite the ongoing attacks, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar suggested there has been "certain progress" toward a ceasefire with Hezbollah. Sa’ar stated that talks were ongoing with the U.S. and that Israel would agree to a ceasefire only if certain conditions were met, including ensuring that Hezbollah remains north of the Litani River and is prevented from rearming.

Hezbollah's spokesman, Mohammed Afif, responded by stating that the group had not yet received any official ceasefire proposals. However, he acknowledged that there had been indirect contacts between Washington, Moscow, Tehran, and other capitals, with discussions still in the "testing the waters" phase.

Ongoing Conflict and Casualties

The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has escalated since October 2023, when Hezbollah began launching daily rocket and missile attacks on northern Israel. The IDF's campaign against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon aims to reduce the threat to Israeli communities and allow for the safe return of displaced residents.

Since the beginning of the conflict, around 40 Israeli civilians and 61 IDF soldiers have been killed. In Lebanon, the death toll has surpassed 3,000, according to the Lebanese health ministry, though the exact breakdown between combatants and civilians remains unclear.

A Hezbollah Leader Killed in Israeli Strike

In a related development, reports emerged that a senior Hezbollah commander, Salim Jamil Ayyash, was eliminated in an Israeli airstrike in Syria. Ayyash, who was involved in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, had been a target for many years due to his role in Hezbollah's military operations. His death highlights Israel's continued efforts to target senior Hezbollah leaders in Syria.