REHOVOT, Israel — In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Hezbollah militants in Lebanon unleashed a barrage of 100 rockets towards Israel on Wednesday. The sheer volume of the assault put Israel’s renowned Iron Dome defense system under considerable strain, with only half of the missiles being intercepted, an exclusive source from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) revealed to The Post.
In retaliation, the IDF is gearing up for a potential ground invasion into Lebanon, the source confirmed, signaling an intensification of hostilities. This exchange marks the opening of a new front in the ongoing US-Israeli military operation, known as Operation Epic Fury, which has drawn international attention and concern.
“The IDF will not tolerate any harm to Israeli civilians and will forcibly respond against any threat posed to the State of Israel,” stated a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, emphasizing the nation’s stance on defending its citizens.
The recent rocket attacks have tested the limits of Israel’s missile defense capabilities, highlighting vulnerabilities when faced with large-scale assaults. Details regarding the extent of damage in Israel remain unclear, as does the scope of the potential ground operation Israel might undertake as part of its countermeasures.
In the face of these provocations, the Israeli Air Force has launched targeted strikes against Hezbollah’s missile launch sites and other strategic infrastructure across Lebanon, as detailed in an official IDF statement.
This flare-up occurs on the twelfth day of the current conflict with Iran and its affiliated militant groups, which is supported by US military backing. This operation follows closely on the heels of Israel’s previous major conflict with Iran in June, which lasted for 12 days, underscoring the ongoing volatility in the region.
Israelis throughout Wednesday braced for escalated attacks from Lebanon â and possibly the Houthis in Yemen. The public has been asked to follow the ongoing alerts and guidelines for sheltering.
An Israeli official described the Wednesday Hezbollah strikes as a “suicide mission” on their behalf â knowing that the IDF would retaliate. Iran’s weapons supplies have run low from both launches on Israel and destruction by US and Israeli forces over the past 12 days.
So far, the Houthis have not fired at Israel in the current war â leading Israelis to worry the Iranian proxy group is saving its weapons supply for a massive barrage all at once.
While Iran has launched counterattacks since the Feb. 28 war began against at least 10 Gulf nations â including US military stationed there â Iran has excluded Yemen, the home base to the Houthis.
While the Houthis so far have not joined the war, they have warned in official messages that their “finger is on the trigger,” according to a Thursday report by the Atlantic Council.
“The Houthisâ apparent reticence has been a surprise for those who view them as simply an Iranian proxy or a trigger-happy militia,” the think tank said. “Both of these descriptors are reductive â the Houthis are a highly adaptive group with both grand regional goals and unresolved domestic objectives.
