Tensions in the Middle East once again appear to be rising rapidly. Hezbollah rocket attacks, a militant group active from Lebanon, launched heavy rocket attacks on Israel’s third largest city, Haifa, and several areas along the northern border on Saturday evening. According to Israeli media, it is believed to be the largest attack on Haifa since the war escalated in October.
Hezbollah reportedly fired more than 40 rockets. The rockets were directed towards the border town of Kiryat Shamona and surrounding towns in addition to Haifa. As the attack began, sirens sounded in northern Israel and panic spread. People immediately began running to bunkers and safety.
However, Israel’s advanced Iron Dome defense system intercepted most of the rockets in the air. According to the army, most of the rockets were intercepted, avoiding major damage. According to the medical team, no injuries have been reported, although there are initial reports of light damage in some places.
Immediately after the attack, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) retaliated with an airstrike targeting a Hezbollah rocket launcher inside Lebanon. The military says responding to frequent cross-border rocket attacks is necessary to maintain security in northern cities.
More than 220 rockets have been fired into northern Israel in the past five days alone. Thousands of people living around the border have been forced to flee their homes to safer areas due to increasing attacks. Schools have been closed in several cities and security alerts have been issued.
Experts believe that if the conflict does not calm down quickly, tensions could escalate across the region. Right now, the whole world is watching the next steps of Israel and Hezbollah rocket attacks, as the conflict could turn into a major war.
