In a brazen escalation of hostilities, the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a rocket barrage launched at central Israel earlier today. The attack targeted the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) Tzrifin base, located just south of Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s central hub for international travel. This military facility hosts various key IDF units, including training schools and critical logistics centers, underscoring the targeted nature of Hezbollah’s strike.

Rockets Rain Down Near Ben Gurion Airport

According to the IDF, ten rockets were fired from southern Lebanon, with most intercepted by Israel's advanced missile defense systems. Nevertheless, one rocket successfully struck in the Ben Gurion Airport vicinity, rattling the region and temporarily disrupting airport operations. Residents across central Israel, from Tel Aviv to Modi'in, felt the ground-shaking impact of these explosions, underscoring the threat Hezbollah poses deep within Israeli territory.

Ben Gurion Airport.. no casualties reported. Hezbollah is being extra suicidal today.

How do you think Israel should respond?

🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/buqhFmz6HV

— Israel News Pulse (@israelnewspulse) November 6, 2024

The Israel Airports Authority, addressing public concerns amid reports of flight delays, reassured that Ben Gurion Airport remains "open and operational" for both arrivals and departures, minimizing disruptions for travelers. However, as a precaution, airlines initiated delay protocols to ensure passenger safety in light of the nearby rocket impacts.

Debris and Interceptions Spark Alarm in Israeli Cities

In addition to the hit near Ben Gurion Airport, debris from intercepted rockets fell in the city of Ra’anana, damaging an empty parked vehicle but causing no injuries. The IDF’s Iron Dome defense system successfully intercepted most of the rockets, yet the barrage reflects Hezbollah’s intent to strike deep into Israel’s civilian and strategic heartland. Security analysts suggest that Hezbollah's growing boldness is a stark indicator of heightened Iranian influence over its Lebanese proxy, pointing toward an escalated willingness to target Israeli infrastructure directly.

Documentation from Ben Gurion Airport. pic.twitter.com/40lWLqKRWk

— Netanel Worthy - נתנאל וורתי (@NetanelWorthy) November 6, 2024

Speculations Over Hezbollah’s Motives: Political Retaliation or Preemptive Provocation?

While Hezbollah has not specified its motivation, political analysts believe the barrage could be a calculated response to the recent U.S. election outcome, with Donald Trump securing a historic second non-consecutive term as president. President Trump, known for his unyielding stance on Iran, has vowed “disproportionate” retaliation against Iranian aggression. Hezbollah’s actions may be a signal from Tehran, utilizing its Lebanese proxy to demonstrate force amid fears of impending U.S. and Israeli reprisals.

Furthermore, Hezbollah’s aggression may also be in retaliation for a targeted Israeli airstrike just last night, which eliminated high-ranking Hezbollah commander Hussain Abd Al-Haleem Harb. Responsible for orchestrating multiple attacks on Israel’s northern Galilee region, Harb was a major figure within Hezbollah’s Khiam region operations. Reports indicate that the strike also destroyed a Hezbollah financial vault, containing millions of dollars, likely intended to fund terrorist activities. This decisive blow against Hezbollah’s leadership and financial assets may have triggered today’s response, as the group seeks to demonstrate resilience in the face of Israeli intelligence and military precision.

Breaking - Hezbollah rockets target Tel Aviv and central Israel, with a plume of smoke seen in the vicinity of Ben Gurion airport (did not hit the airport itself). No casualties reported.

A video of a Hezbollah rocket that hit a car in Tel Aviv. pic.twitter.com/2DMXFYKzOt

— Will Christou (@will_christou) November 6, 2024

Israel Responds with Broad Counterstrikes

Following Hezbollah’s barrage, the IDF launched a comprehensive counterattack across multiple fronts. Over the past 24 hours, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) has conducted targeted strikes on approximately 70 Hezbollah and Hamas sites in both Lebanon and Gaza. These airstrikes targeted terror squads, missile launchers, weapons storage sites, and other critical terrorist infrastructure. In Gaza’s southern Rafah area, Israeli ground forces uncovered a substantial cache of weaponry, including RPGs, anti-tank missiles, and explosives, all intended for future attacks on Israeli communities.

Mounting Tensions as Regional Threats Escalate

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently had to cancel a scheduled visit to Metula after a drone exploded near the municipality, has condemned Hezbollah’s actions as a severe escalation. "Israel will not tolerate these provocations," Netanyahu declared, emphasizing the IDF’s readiness to respond firmly to all terrorist threats. Hezbollah’s strikes come at a time of unprecedented strain in the Middle East, with Israel taking decisive measures to protect its citizens and infrastructure from mounting threats orchestrated by Iran and its proxies.

So Hezbollah is now targeting Ben Gurion airport.

But Hezbollah doesn’t want Israel to target Beirut airport…

Ok. https://t.co/saKa3yYydJ

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 6, 2024

As Hezbollah continues to provoke, Israel stands resilient, defending its sovereignty and ensuring the safety of its people amid these dangerous regional dynamics.