7-8-2024 (BEIRUT) In a significant escalation of tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, the militant group Hezbollah launched a barrage of drone and rocket attacks against Israeli targets on Tuesday. The assault, which injured at least 19 Israeli civilians and six soldiers, is believed to be just the opening salvo in Hezbollah’s campaign of retaliation for Israel’s recent assassination of a high-ranking commander.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for strikes on two military sites near Acre in northern Israel, as well as an attack on an Israeli military vehicle. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the incursion of several hostile drones from Lebanese territory, with at least one successfully intercepted.
The most severe incident occurred near the coastal city of Nahariya, where surveillance footage captured a massive explosion close to a bus stop on a main road. Among the injured was a man in his 40s who sustained critical injuries after his vehicle was struck by a projectile, causing him to crash. Nearby, a 65-year-old woman suffered shrapnel wounds.
Earlier, Hezbollah launched a squadron of Shahed-101 (electric?) attack drones targeting the Golani Brigade HQ’s and the Egoz Unit 621 HQ’s north of Akka.
An Iron Dome missile failed to intercept a drone and fell on a road. (Majdal Shams vibes)
7 casualties reported. pic.twitter.com/IweOefLT9m
— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) August 6, 2024
In a twist of irony, Israeli officials later confirmed that at least one victim was wounded by a malfunctioning Iron Dome interceptor missile, highlighting the complexities and risks associated with defence systems in urban areas.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the attack. One unnamed survivor told Kan News, “I only survived because I lay down. It was a miracle. I’ve never seen such a thing.” The man described hearing sirens followed by the sound of a drone overhead before diving to the ground, narrowly escaping the ensuing explosion and shrapnel.
Earlier, Hezbollah launched a squadron of Shahed-101 (electric?) attack drones targeting the Golani Brigade HQ’s and the Egoz Unit 621 HQ’s north of Akka.
An Iron Dome missile failed to intercept a drone and fell on a road. (Majdal Shams vibes)
7 casualties reported. pic.twitter.com/IweOefLT9m
— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) August 6, 2024
The IDF reported that six of its soldiers were also injured at an army base in the area. All casualties were promptly transported to Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya for treatment.
This latest offensive comes in the wake of Hezbollah’s vow to target Israeli civilians in retaliation for the killing of Fuad Shukr, the group’s most senior military commander, in an Israeli operation last Tuesday. The Tehran-backed organisation has warned that this attack is merely a prelude to a more comprehensive campaign of revenge.
