By Smartenylopedia News Staff
Deepest Attacks So Far Target Ariel and Surrounding Areas, Some 100 km from the Border
In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict, Hezbollah launched a barrage of over 200 rockets into Israel on Monday, striking deeper into the country than ever before. The attacks targeted areas including the western Samaria region and the coastal cities of Haifa, Kiryat Yam, and Kiryat Motzkin, marking the most extensive rocket assaults since the war began.
Rocket Strikes in Ariel and Western Samaria
For the first time during the conflict, Hezbollah fired around 10 rockets into the Ariel area, located in western Samaria, approximately 100 kilometers (64 miles) from the Lebanese border. Rocket impacts were reported near the settlements of Ariel and Peduel, while the Palestinian Red Crescent reported two people injured by shrapnel in the nearby town of Deir Istiya. The strike on Ariel represents the deepest Hezbollah attack into Israeli territory to date.
Casualties in Northern Israel
Hezbollah’s attacks resulted in several injuries across northern Israel. In Kiryat Bialik, a 23-year-old man was hit by shrapnel and is in moderate condition, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service. Meanwhile, five people were treated at a hospital in Tiberias, following rocket strikes in the Galilee region. One man sustained shrapnel wounds, while others were treated for injuries related to shock and a fall while running to safety.
In a notable incident, a rocket directly hit a house in the community of Givat Avni, near Tiberias. Thanks to quick action, the family sought shelter just moments before the rocket hit, escaping unharmed. “We entered the bunker, I closed the door, locked it, and then there was a crazy explosion,” said Dudi Yitzhak, a resident of the house. “The impact was 30 cm from the bunker… 30 cm and the lives of three people were saved, it’s crazy.”
Haifa and Coastal Areas Under Fire
Hezbollah also targeted the Haifa area multiple times throughout the day. A barrage of around 30 rockets struck the outskirts of the city, with additional attacks hitting the towns of Acre, Kiryat Yam, and Kiryat Motzkin. The attacks triggered air raid sirens, sending residents rushing for cover as the skies filled with smoke.
The IDF reported that Hezbollah fired another wave of rockets at Mount Karmel, south and east of Haifa, including the towns of Daliyat al-Karmel, Isfiya, and Yokneam. The southernmost point targeted in this attack was Yokneam, approximately 50 km (30 miles) from the Lebanese border.
Further Attacks in the Galilee and Golan
Rocket fire also rained down on several locations in the Galilee and Golan regions. In the afternoon, Hezbollah launched a barrage of 25 rockets toward the Golani Junction, west of the Sea of Galilee. Another five rockets targeted the area of Safed, while alarm sirens were activated in Maghar, Eilaboun, Turan, and several other nearby towns.
Earlier in the day, Hezbollah had responded to an initial wave of Israeli airstrikes with a significant rocket assault, firing at least 35 rockets toward Safed and the Lower Galilee region. The IDF reported that some of these rockets caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure, but the civilian death toll was minimized due to shelters and early warning systems.
Rocket Alert [17:41:29] (2):
• HaMifratz — Kfar Hassidim, Yagur
Population: 14,000 pic.twitter.com/eFZALu6xRi— ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) September 23, 2024
IDF Response and Airstrikes in Lebanon
In response to the rocket barrages, the IDF conducted a series of airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Israeli officials warned Lebanese civilians in these regions to evacuate areas where Hezbollah was believed to be storing weapons and planning attacks. Despite the rocket fire, the IDF pressed on with its operations, aiming to dismantle Hezbollah’s strategic capabilities.
As Hezbollah continues to retaliate with rocket fire, Israeli officials have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting civilian lives while attempting to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure. With tensions at an all-time high and both sides showing no signs of de-escalation, the region faces the threat of an even broader and more destructive conflict in the coming days.
International Calls for Restraint
International reactions to the conflict have been mixed, with calls for restraint and diplomatic engagement growing louder. Western nations, including the United States and France, have expressed concern over the potential for further civilian casualties and urged both sides to avoid actions that could inflame the situation further. However, with Hezbollah’s rocket attacks intensifying and Israel’s military response escalating, a path to peace remains elusive.