Escalation in the north? Israel preparing for intensified fighting with Hezbollah

An intensification of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel on the Lebanese border on Wednesday has caused many residents in the north to worry about the situation continuing to escalate. 

On Wednesday morning, a series of large explosions near the border were answered from the Israeli side with heavy bombing. Local reports said the smoke from the bombing did not clear for over an hour. 

Some residents reported to the Israeli news site Ynet that the bombs may have been bunker-buster bombs, meant to destroy tunnels. 

The Alma Research and Education Center has estimated that Hezbollah has an extensive tunnel system, including tunnels filled with explosives, near military sites along the border. 

Tal Be'eri, head of Alma's research department, said, "This is not just a network of local tunnels of attack tunnels and infrastructure in or near the villages, but a network of inter-regional tunnels of dozens of kilometers that stretch out and connect between the Beirut area [Hezbollah central headquarters] and the Bekaa Valley and the southern Lebanon area and the Israeli border.”

The IDF previously found several tunnels created by Hezbollah meant to compromise the border between Israel and Lebanon. Many residents fear a repeat of the Oct. 7 attacks will happen in the north as well. 

On Wednesday evening, Hezbollah launched a barrage of at least 8 missiles toward Israel, 5 of which were intercepted, while 2 fell in open areas near Kiryat Shmona. At least one hit was identified in Kiryat Shmona, although no injuries were reported. There was damage to a building, along with several cars. 

Hezbollah took responsibility for 5 attacks on Israel today (Dec 20), claiming to have launched Burkan rockets. Sirens sounded in Ma'alot, Kfar Vradim, Shomera, & Yiftah from at least 11 rockets. The deaths of 2 Hezbollah operatives were also announced. https://t.co/O9S1SVPoir

— Israel-Alma (@Israel_Alma_org) December 20, 2023

Shortly after the barrage, IDF soldiers identified a number of terrorists approaching the security fence from Lebanon along the border in the area of Metula and engaged them, hitting several. 

In another incident on Wednesday night, terror forces attempted to shoot down an IDF helicopter using a surface-to-air missile (SAM), which was unsuccessful. 

Israel Air Force (IAF) jets struck several Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon in response to the attacks, including a rocket launcher and a Hezbollah operational facility fairly deep in Lebanese territory around 20 kilometers (over 12 miles) past the border. 

With increasing hostilities along the northern border, the IDF requested on Thursday morning that residents of northern communities near the border with Lebanon reduce all non-essential travel and stay near protected facilities. The military also closed the entrances to several communities in the area of Kiryat Shmona. 

There were multiple red alerts along the northern border throughout the night and the morning hours following the IDF strikes. 

Later on Thursday morning, two anti-tank missiles were fired at Dovev and Avivim in the Western Galilee region. The IDF responded with artillery fire towards the launching point. 

On Wednesday, War Cabinet minister Benny Gantz spoke with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna following her visit to Lebanon.

“Israel will not accept the threat Hezbollah poses to the residents of the north. Lebanon is obligated to take responsibility for the terror emanating from its territory," Gantz told her, adding: “The interest in reaching a diplomatic solution in the border area is first and foremost in Lebanon's interest.”