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Hezbollah claimed to target numerous areas in northern Israel on April 21. The Iranian-backed terrorist group told pro-Iranian media outlet Al-Mayadeen that it struck the northern Israeli communities of Shomera, Shlomi, Metulla, and Hanita. In many of these communities, sirens warned of incoming fire on April 20 and 21, but no injuries have been reported. The terrorist group also said it used an anti-tank guided missile to target an Israeli military Humvee in Israel.
The attacks are part of an increase in rocket, missile, and drone assaults by the Iranian-backed group. On April 17, Hezbollah said it targeted an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) division headquarters with a Burkan heavy warhead missile. The group also wounded 14 IDF soldiers and four civilians in an attack on the largely Bedouin village of Arab al-Aramshe in northern Israel. On April 21, one of the IDF soldiers, 27-year-old reservist Maj. Dor Zimel, died of his wounds from the attack.
Expert Analysis
“Hezbollah has put itself in a bind. They unilaterally attacked Israel on October 8, 2023 in solidarity with Hamas, thinking the Israeli war in Gaza would be another short round. They committed to keep fighting until a Gaza ceasefire. Now, they’re stuck. If they declare a unilateral ceasefire or unilaterally escalate, they’ll appear weak, as if they’re abandoning the Palestinian cause. They have to keep fighting. But if they keep going, Israel can keep bleeding them. This gives Israel an advantage. It should use it.” — David Daoud, FDD Senior Fellow
“Hezbollah continues to escalate attacks on Israel ahead of the Passover holiday. During Passover 2023, rocket fire from Lebanon also targeted northern Israel. Hezbollah increasingly says it is targeting numerous Israeli army sites along the northern border, leading to Israeli retaliation. It is essential that Hezbollah be deterred, and its forces be removed from the border so that the threats to northern Israel cease and the Israelis residents — who were evacuated in October — can return home.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow
Israel Responds to Hezbollah Attacks
The IDF responded to Hezbollah’s attacks by striking the terrorist group’s positions in Lebanon overnight between April 20 and 21. According to the IDF, Israeli warplanes struck several targets in southern Lebanon. One strike hit a Hezbollah operative. Another strike destroyed a Hezbollah observation post and buildings used by the terrorist group.
Additionally, on April 20, the IDF carried out several strikes on Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and eliminated three terrorists. Hezbollah said it has lost 285 of its members since it began attacking Israel on October 8, 2023. In six months, Hezbollah and other terrorist groups in Lebanon have launched more than 3,100 rockets into Israel.
