Hezbollah strikes Haifa as Israel marks one year since Hamas attack on festival

Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel's third-largest city, Haifa, early Monday, coinciding with the first anniversary of the Gaza war, which has heightened tensions across the Middle East. As reported by Reuters, the Iran-backed militant group targeted a military base south of Haifa with a volley of "Fadi 1" missiles and struck Tiberias, located about 65 kilometers away.

Israeli police confirmed the rockets hit Haifa, injuring at least 10 people. The Israeli military reported five rockets were launched from Lebanon toward Haifa, stating, "Interceptors were fired," and the incident is under review. Additionally, 15 rockets targeted Tiberias, with some intercepted, while reports indicated further rockets struck the area, causing damage to buildings and minor injuries.

On the same day, Israeli forces intercepted two aerial targets launched from the east, following sirens in central areas including Rishon Lezion and Palmachim. The military did not disclose the source of the drones.

The ongoing conflict has raised concerns about the potential for a wider war involving the United States and Iran. Recent airstrikes by Israel targeted Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon and Beirut, where the group is accused of housing weaponry beneath residential areas, a claim Hezbollah denies.

The violence, which escalated after Hezbollah began launching rockets in solidarity with Hamas on October 8, 2023, has led to significant military incursions by Israel into southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israelis commemorated the victims of last year’s Hamas assault, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and significant hostages taken to Gaza, by holding a memorial event at the Nova Music Festival site.

Amidst heightened security across the country, the military and police are on alert for potential Palestinian attacks marking the anniversary of the Gaza war, which has resulted in extensive casualties and destruction in the region, with nearly 42,000 Palestinians reported killed in Israeli airstrikes.

[Information sourced from Reuters]