Hezbollah rockets struck Israel’s third-largest city, Haifa, early Monday, coinciding with the first anniversary of the Gaza war, as the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed forces spreads across the Middle East. Israeli police confirmed that the rockets hit Haifa, causing damage to buildings and minor injuries. Israeli media reported that 10 people were injured in northern Israel, with some requiring hospitalization.
Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it had launched a salvo of “Fadi 1” missiles at a military base south of Haifa. Israeli media reported that two rockets struck Haifa on the Mediterranean coast, while five more hit Tiberias, a city located 65 kilometers (40 miles) away.
In response, the Israeli military carried out airstrikes targeting Hezbollah’s Intelligence Headquarters in Beirut, hitting command centers, intelligence-gathering equipment, and other critical infrastructure. The exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel adds to the growing fears of a widening conflict in the region as the war in Gaza continues.
Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah weapons storage facilities in Beirut over the past few hours, according to the Israeli military. The strikes triggered secondary explosions, confirming the presence of weaponry. Airstrikes also hit Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa region, including infrastructure sites, a command center, and a missile launcher.
The Israeli military accused Hezbollah of hiding its command centers and arms beneath residential buildings in Beirut, endangering civilians. Hezbollah, in turn, claimed responsibility for a blast aimed at Israeli troops along the border.
These developments unfolded as Israel marked the first anniversary of the devastating Hamas attack from October 7, 2023. On that day, Hamas launched rockets into Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages, which led to a massive Israeli offensive on Gaza. Palestinian health authorities reported that nearly 42,000 people were killed in Gaza as a result.
Israel heightened security measures on Monday, bracing for potential attacks timed with the anniversary of last year’s conflict. The war between Israel and Hamas, alongside Hezbollah’s involvement, has destabilized the Middle East and provoked global protests. The scale of destruction and loss of life continues to shock people worldwide, as fears grow that the conflict could widen further across the region.
