Latest Developments

A Hezbollah drone attack on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon on December 10 wounded six Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers as the Iran-backed terrorist group continues to prod Israel and threaten to escalate fighting. The Times of Israel reported two IDF soldiers were moderately wounded by shrapnel and four additional soldiers were hospitalized for smoke inhalation following an armed drone attack on an IDF base in Western Galilee, for which Hezbollah claimed responsibility. The IDF said the Iron Dome missile defense system shot down two more drones launched in Lebanon. A Hezbollah attack also wounded three soldiers on December 9.  

Clashes continued into December 11, with Israeli forces striking a Hezbollah cell in southern Lebanon that had fired rockets at the Shtula area in northern Israel and a rocket launcher used to fire at the Yiftah area. Later the same day, Hezbollah claimed its forces fired anti-tank missiles at a home in the Israeli village of Metula, which it claimed was being used by the IDF. The IDF has not reported any injuries from the attack.

Expert Analysis

“Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah admitted in early November that had Israel not been fighting a war in Gaza, it wouldn’t have tolerated Hezbollah’s ongoing attacks. He’s correct — Israel’s preoccupation with the Gaza war and the Biden administration’s pressure on Israel not to preemptively engage Hezbollah is staying the IDF’s hand. But if Hezbollah’s escalation continues — and continues to draw Israeli blood — the group may soon discover the limits of Israeli patience.” — David Daoud, FDD Senior Fellow

“Hezbollah continues to escalate attacks on Israel. The Iranian-backed terrorist group has illegally stockpiled missiles and caches of weapons in Lebanon, which it uses to threaten Israel and the region. In the last weeks, the group has carried out attacks on numerous communities in northern Israel. It is essential that its continued attacks be deterred and that Hezbollah be removed from Israel’s northern border.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

Hezbollah-Israel Clashes Risk Escalation

Hezbollah and Israeli forces have continuously clashed along Israel’s northern border since the start of Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip following Hamas’s October 7 massacre in southern Israel. The clashes continue despite the presence of a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping force stationed between the Israeli-Lebanese border and the Litani River in Lebanon, a zone that is supposed to be free of Hezbollah fighters and weapons per UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Israeli forces have responded to attacks from Lebanon with airstrikes against Hezbollah personnel and military sites, killing more than 100 Hezbollah fighters to date.

Israel Calls to Push Hezbollah from Border

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on December 6 that Israel is willing to agree to a new diplomatic arrangement with Lebanon that would remove Hezbollah threats from the border area but added that Israel would not hesitate to use force to push Hezbollah back if an agreement is not reached. Approximately 80,000 residents of northern Israel have evacuated as a precaution, and many fear returning while the threat from Hezbollah remains.  

“Israel Open to Strengthened Lebanon Ceasefire,” FDD Flash Brief

“10 Things to Know About Hezbollah,” FDD Insight

“Hezbollah escalates as rockets target Tel Aviv,” by Seth J. Frantzman

“Israel Responds to Hezbollah Attacks with Airstrikes in Lebanon,” FDD Flash Brief