Cairo: Hani Kamal El-Din
On the night of October 1st, Israeli occupation forces launched a limited ground operation in southern Lebanon, aiming to target Hezbollah positions along the border. However, the operation quickly escalated, leading to a massive missile attack from Iran, a key ally of Hezbollah and a leading member of the “Axis of Resistance.”
Eyewitnesses reported explosions over Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other parts of the occupied territories, with Israeli air defenses intercepting numerous rockets. In response to the Iranian missile strikes, Ben Gurion Airport was shut down, and most of the rockets were intercepted by Israel’s Arrow missile defense system outside its borders, primarily over Jordan.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement saying, “We have targeted military and security facilities in the heart of the occupied territories. Further details of the operation will be announced later.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), confirmed the successful interception of several missiles and stated that there were some hits. He urged the public not to share information that might benefit the enemy and assured that there were no further immediate threats from Iran. Civilians across Israel were allowed to leave their shelters. Hagari added, “This attack will have consequences. We have offensive plans, and we will respond at the appropriate time.”
The missile attack resulted in one casualty – ironically, a Palestinian from the Gaza Strip who was in Jericho when a missile struck.
Danni Citrinowicz, an expert at the Israeli National Security Institute, commented on social media that Iran’s recent attack differed from earlier exercises in April. “This time, Iran targeted populated areas, and this is only the beginning of a series of events involving Iran. Israel will undoubtedly respond, and it won’t be a symbolic response.”
Iran’s missile attack occurred roughly 24 hours after Israel launched its ground operation in southern Lebanon. The 98th Division, which had been relocated from the Gaza Strip to northern Israel, was involved in the operation. Under heavy artillery and air support, Israeli special forces, paratroopers, and the 7th Brigade’s armored units advanced toward Lebanese villages along the border, where Hezbollah militants had been launching attacks on Israeli towns with anti-tank missiles and mortars. The Israeli army’s objective was to create a 20-kilometer buffer zone, allowing 60,000 to 100,000 displaced northern Israeli residents to return to their homes.
The Israeli occupation army issued warnings to residents of 30 Lebanese villages, urging them to evacuate immediately. The army also advised against traveling from north to south in Lebanon. Hezbollah, however, claimed that the Israeli forces had not yet crossed the Lebanese border, despite 20 hours of the operation. Mohammad Afif, a spokesperson for Hezbollah, told Al Jazeera that the group was ready for direct confrontation if Israel dared to invade Lebanese territory, dismissing Israeli claims of military successes as fabrications.
The New York Times reported that the Biden administration allegedly persuaded Israel not to conduct a large-scale ground invasion, instead opting for targeted raids. Israeli officials reassured Washington that the operation would last only a few days, not weeks.
As tensions continue to rise, Israeli authorities imposed new restrictions on gatherings, not only in northern areas but also in central regions. The massive New Year prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, a significant event for the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), were canceled, with the event being broadcast on television as it had been during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Israel continues its efforts to neutralize Hezbollah’s threat, Iran is seen as biding its time, waiting to strike again. The central question remains: will Iran continue its attacks, and how will Israel respond?
