The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that Hezbollah, the Iran-backed terrorist organization, fired hundreds of rockets into northern Israel overnight and through Wednesday morning following an IDF strike targeting a senior Hezbollah commander. The attack occurred during the Jewish holiday of Shavuot (Pentecost), which commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments and the Torah on Mount Sinai, forcing many Israelis in the north to seek shelter.
According to the IDF, Israeli Air Force (IAF) aircraft struck a Hezbollah command and control center in southern Lebanon’s Jouaiyya area, which was used to direct terrorist attacks against Israeli territory from southeastern Lebanon in recent months. The strike resulted in the elimination of Sami Taleb Abdullah, the commander of the Nasr Unit in the Hezbollah terrorist organization. Three additional Hezbollah operatives were also eliminated during this attack.
Hezbollah fired over 200 rockets at northern Israel, including near the holy city of Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee, according to the Times of Israel. Although there were no casualties, several brush fires broke out, which firefighters extinguished.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza could help alleviate tensions between Israel and Hezbollah by eliminating reasons for war. The Hezbollah organization has long been committed to the destruction of Israel and moved years ago into southern Lebanon, defying United Nations Security Council Resolution 1707 (2006) to advance its goal despite the ongoing Gaza conflict.
In recent months, Hezbollah escalated its attacks on Israel following a sporadic firing campaign that began after a Hamas terror attack on October 7th. The group paused during a truce in November when Hamas released Israeli hostages and Israel released Palestinian terrorists but has resumed its attacks since then.