A barrage of rockets launched Thursday afternoon into Israel from Lebanon during the first day of Passover was the heaviest seen on the northern border since 2006, during the Second Israeli-Lebanese war. The IDF informed the press that a total of 34 rockets were fired in the general direction of Israel for about half an hour. Of these, 25 were intercepted by Israeli Iron Dome systems, and five exploded in Israeli territory. The condition of the four more has not yet been clarified.
The heaviest barrage that was last fired was in the summer of 2021 when Hezbollah launched 19 rockets. Meanwhile, Hezbollah was extremely clear in ensuring that all authorities know they were not responsible. Reuters reported that Palestinian factions were behind the shooting, but in the Lebanese newspaper Al-Nahar it was noted that "a Fatah official emphasized that the major Palestinian factions have nothing to do with the rocket launches that were carried out from points far from the refugee camps in southern Lebanon," and in the Al-Arabi al-Jadid newspaper It says: "A source in Lebanon denies that the organization has anything to do with launching the rockets at Israel."
Israel is under attack! Over the last few hours, rockets were fired at Northern Israel from Lebanon and Southern Israel from Gaza, putting innocent lives in danger. We stand strong in solidarity with our nation and pray for the safety and protection of our people.…
— (((noa tishby))) (@noatishby) April 6, 2023
According to security sources though, the rocket fire was ordered by and came from Hamas assets in the war-torn country held hostage by the Iranian Hezbollah militia. Israel responded to the barrage by hitting targets in Gaza as well as going after the launchers in Lebanon using intelligence and help from local Lebanese sources who are against the escalation against Israel.
Lebanon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also released an announcement: "We warn against Israel's intentions that may lead to escalation and damage to peace and stability in the region. Lebanon is fully committed to Resolution 1701 of the UN Security Council. Lebanon is ready for any assistance with UNIFIL and taking the necessary steps to restore calm."
According to the all-new Israeli estimates as well, the shooters are Palestinian terrorist organizations in southern Lebanon who were given approval from the largest Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist groups. The IDF's intelligence on them is considered weak compared to the existing intelligence on Hezbollah and Hamas. Before the heavy barrage, there were no restrictions at all in the western Galilee for Israeli citizens hiking in the area, as is usually the case during a targeted intelligence alert for rocket fire.
As #Israel readies to hit back after the rocket bombardment from #Lebanon, I am reminded of this immortal quote from Golda Meir:
— Arsen Ostrovsky (@Ostrov_A) April 6, 2023
“If we have to choose between being dead and pitied, and being alive with a bad image, we’d rather be alive and have the bad image.” pic.twitter.com/39Nnv7dr78
In Israel, a media effort through intermediaries to differentiate between Hezbollah and the perpetrators of the shooting is being made. This is to prevent the Shia terrorist Hezbollah organization from interfering in the event.
I am from #Lebanon & I am against firing rockets at #Israel on behalf of anybody- Palestinian, Iranian or otherwise. 🇱🇧
— Firas Maksad (@FirasMaksad) April 6, 2023
If you are Lebanese & feel the same, speak up! 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/F89O7cHDhX
Thankfully there are no Israeli casualties, although Razi Beaver, a Druze-Israeli from the village of Jat-Yanoh in the western Galilee, was injured while riding a motorcycle in the town of Pasuta, and continued the journey independently to the hospital. "I saw the explosion and continued to the hospital. I felt a blow to my shoulder from the shrapnel and I didn't want to stop”, Beaver told reporters.
