Latest Developments 

The Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah increased attacks on Israel on November 13, launching an anti-tank missile and firing mortars. Hezbollah has been escalating its threats to Israel for several days. On November 12, seven Israeli soldiers were injured after mortar shells struck their location near Manara in northern Israel. The soldiers were evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. An anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon at the community of Dovev killed one and injured four civilians.  

Expert Analysis 

“Hezbollah is increasing its threats to Israel and the United States as Iranian-backed proxies in Syria and Iraq also increase their attacks. Iran is not deterred and is encouraging Hezbollah and other terrorist groups to escalate toward a regional war. Daily attacks by Hezbollah are now causing more injuries and risk dragging Lebanon into a wider war.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow 

“There is a concerning pattern emerging of increasing Hezbollah cross-border attacks on Israel’s northern front in comparison to assaults by Palestinian terrorist groups in southern Israel. Currently, Israel has been on the defensive, only responding to Hezbollah’s attacks. However, if the conflict intensifies further, Hezbollah may compel Israel to initiate a broader response in Lebanon.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal 

Attacks Threaten More Cities in Northern Israel 

Hezbollah and other terror groups in Lebanon seek to expand the range of their threats. Rockets fired from Lebanon set of sirens north of the Israeli port city of Haifa on November 6. Israelis were forced to seek shelter in cities such as Kiryat Yam and Kiryat Bialik. On November 2, 12 rockets from Lebanon targeted the northern city of Kiryat Shmona near the Lebanese border. One of the rockets caused damage in the city. The Jewish state evacuated Kiryat Shmona and 40 northern Israeli border communities in October. 

Tensions in Syria 

Israel has carried out airstrikes in Syria after an Iranian backed group flew a drone from Syria that struck a school in Eilat on November 10. On November 11, sirens blared in the Golan, an area of Israeli communities near Syria and Lebanon. Iranian-backed groups in Syria and Iraq have attacked U.S. forces 52 times since October 17. America carried out airstrikes in Syria on November 13, targeting Iranian-backed groups in the Euphrates river valley.  

“Rockets From Lebanon Set Off Sirens Near Haifa,” FDD Flash Brief 

“Israel Deepens Lebanon Strikes as Hezbollah Rattles Saber,” FDD Flash Brief 

“The Hezbollah Two-Step,” by Jonathan Schanzer