Israeli army carries out massive wave of attacks on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon

The Israeli armed forces carried out a massive wave of airstrikes and artillery fire against targets in the Saluki valley in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, following repeated attacks against Israeli targets by the Lebanese terror organization Hezbollah.

According to Israel Defense Forces, the terror group “makes extensive use” of the valley for its activities, hiding its weapons and infrastructures in the valley’s forested areas.

According to Lebanese reports, the Israeli airstrike was among the largest of the war so far, hitting 15 different targets in at least 30 launched strikes.

On Tuesday morning, Hezbollah attempted a drone infiltration in the area of Yesod HaMa’ala and Mishmar HaYarden and followed that with additional rockets fired at Misgav Am and Ramot Naftali.

צה"ל השלים לפני זמן קצר תקיפה משולבת של מטרות רבות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה במרחב ואדי סלוקי שבדרום לבנון באמצעות מטוסי קרב וארטילריה.

תוך זמן קצר הושלמה תקיפה לעבר עשרות עמדות, מבנים צבאיים ותשתיות אמצעי לחימה של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה >> pic.twitter.com/KwVY6KPubc

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) January 16, 2024

Earlier in the day, the IDF said Israeli special forces had “attacked during the night to remove a threat” near the town Aita al-Sha’ab, hinting that Israeli troops had crossed the border to raid their target.

In response, Lebanon's Al-Mayadeen news outlet, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, claimed that the IDF had lied and, instead, three IDF commando soldiers were exposed trying to cross the border and were forced to retreat to their outpost.

The IDF further stated that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) destroyed an anti-tank missile launcher in Kfar Kila overnight.

Meanwhile, Maj.-Gen. Uri Gordin of the Northern Command, visited a battalion-level exercise by the 228th Brigade near the border on Monday.

“We are more ready for this than we have ever been, tonight if we have to, and we will continue and strengthen the preparedness and assessments going forward as well,” he said.

“We hit a lot of squads on the other side, more than 150 squads were struck and a lot of capabilities were removed. We are busy denying capabilities, stripping away Hezbollah’s capabilities, and pushing it back.”

After a short cooling period, tensions on Israel’s northern border have ramped up again these last days following the alleged Israeli assassination of a senior Hamas leader in Beirut and the rocket attacks on the IDF’s aerial control center and the headquarters of the Northern Command last week.

On Monday, Hezbollah attacked Israeli targets in Matat, Kiryat Shmona, and Margaliot, without causing serious injuries or damage.

מצורף עדכון תקיפות בגזרה הצפונית ליום ראשון 15.01.24.
דוח פגיעות יומי של לובי 1701. משקפים את המציאות האמיתית בצפון.

🔴הצטרפו ללובי 1701:https://t.co/o5QGV9lnPp pic.twitter.com/urPD1OUzca

— Lobby1701 (@Lobby1701) January 15, 2024

According to the recently created pressure group, “Lobby 1701,” which represents the residents of northern Israel who had to evacuate their homes due to the threat posed by Hezbollah forces, the terrorists on Monday launched five anti-tank missiles, 25 rockets, and one drone against Israel.

The IAF responded with strikes on operational infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in the area of Marun al-Ras in southern Lebanon.