Sirens sounded continuously in various areas of northern Israel on Tuesday, and the Israeli army reported monitoring a number of marches in the region, and announced that its helicopters were chasing a number of marches spotted in the airspace of Acre coming from Lebanon.
The Israeli army also announced, at dawn on Tuesday, the interception of a drone that entered Israeli territory from the eastern side in the Wadi Araba area.
The “Israel Hayom” website reported initial reports about the implementation of several air interceptions over the city of Eilat, without any reports of casualties.
Hebrew media said that Hezbollah fired nearly 230 missiles today, Monday, at targets inside Israel, in the largest attack targeting the central and Galilee regions, especially in the Karyut.
Israel is under fire from Hezbollah’s largest missile attack, causing destruction and panic among Israelis
Israeli soldiers monitored rocket launches carried out by Hezbollah fighters from the border fence area in southern Lebanon, areas where the Israeli army announced the elimination of Hezbollah fighters and capabilities.
Israeli media reported that Hezbollah fired missiles today from a border area towards the city of Karmiel. The locations of the missile launches were seen from the Israeli side due to their close proximity to the border.
The areas of Haifa, Shefa’amr, Acre, Al-Karyut, and other areas in the Galilee were subjected to violent bombardment by Hezbollah.
Maariv newspaper reported that “Hezbollah” fired “the heaviest barrage of rockets towards the north, with 80 rockets being launched within minutes.”
The attack focused on the Al-Karyut area, northeast of Haifa, where footage showed massive destruction of buildings and burning of cars, amid a state of panic among Israelis.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reported that many casualties were recorded in different areas in the north, and at least 8 shell landing sites were recorded. A missile landed near a bus station in Kiryat, and cars caught fire as a result of the fall and shrapnel.
The Israeli Rescue Service said, “There are currently several incidents in Kiryat,” noting that a fire broke out in Kiryat following a direct hit on a building and vehicles at the site.
About 3 hours before that, Magen David Adom reported that 3 people were injured by shrapnel in a bombing of the Karmiel area, which included 50 missiles.
The mayor of Haifa, Yona Yahav, said that the city was subjected to “the largest missile launch since the beginning of the war… This is severely damaging the economy. You do not see people in the squares… and companies closing their doors… Should military pressure continue?… I think we need to Reaching an agreement involving the great powers.”
A former Shin Bet official confirmed that the missile attacks on the Haifa area and the surrounding area were very intense and aggressive.
Last updated: November 12, 2024 – 11:49
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Interview: Navigating the Escalating Tensions in Northern Israel
Moderator: Welcome to the Time.news interview segment. Today, we have with us Dr. Rachel Cohen, an expert on Middle Eastern geopolitics and a senior lecturer at the Institute for Conflict Studies. Dr. Cohen, thank you for joining us to discuss the recent escalation in northern Israel.
Dr. Cohen: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time for the region, and I appreciate the opportunity to share insights.
Moderator: Sirens have been sounding in various areas of northern Israel almost continuously, and the Israeli army is reportedly monitoring marches from Lebanon. Can you help our audience understand the significance of these developments?
Dr. Cohen: Certainly. The continuous sirens and military responses highlight a significant uptick in hostilities, particularly involving Hezbollah. The Israeli army’s proactive measures, including intercepting drones and monitoring missile launches, indicate a heightened state of alert. This isn’t merely routine; it signals potential threats to Israeli security and a volatile environment on the Lebanon-Israel border.
Moderator: Just recently, Hezbollah launched around 230 missiles, marking one of their most intense assaults. How does this scale of attack influence the situation on the ground?
Dr. Cohen: This massive barrage, especially targeting central and Galilee regions, is remarkable. It underscores Hezbollah’s military capabilities and willingness to escalate conflict. Not only does it instill fear and panic among the civilian population, but it also challenges Israel’s defense systems, which must now contend with such a sustained attack. It’s also crucial to consider the psychological impact on the Israeli people who live under constant threat from rocket fire.
Moderator: The reports have noted the destruction in areas like Al-Karyut and the bombardment across Haifa. What does this mean for the civilian population living in and around these areas?
Dr. Cohen: For the civilians, this situation breeds chaos and fear. Those areas are now in a state of panic, dealing with physical destruction and a looming sense of danger. The situation is compounded as infrastructure is damaged, and essential services may falter. Moreover, the long-term psychological effects of living under such pressures can create a cycle of trauma that affects communities for generations.
Moderator: How is the Israeli government likely to respond to these escalations, both militarily and diplomatically?
Dr. Cohen: The Israeli government typically opts for military responses to such provocations to reassert deterrence. Expect counterstrikes aimed at Hezbollah positions to disrupt their ability to launch further attacks. Diplomatically, Israel will likely seek support from international allies while condemning Hezbollah’s actions on global platforms. However, there’s always a fine line to tread between retaliating and engaging in de-escalation talks, especially as tensions rise.
Moderator: With these ongoing conflicts, what implications might this have for broader Middle Eastern geopolitics?
Dr. Cohen: This escalation could have serious repercussions beyond the immediate conflict. It might embolden other militant groups in the region or impact alliances and relationships among neighboring countries. It could exacerbate existing tensions and lead to increased instability, with potential ramifications that may reach beyond the borders of Lebanon and Israel.
Moderator: Lastly, what can be done to alleviate the situation and work toward peace in such a fraught environment?
Dr. Cohen: Building peace in such a context requires dialogue, understanding, and significant diplomatic efforts from both sides. Confidence-building measures, humanitarian assistance, and engagement from international mediators are crucial. It’s a challenging road, yet without sustained efforts towards dialogue, cycles of violence will continue to perpetuate.
Moderator: Thank you, Dr. Cohen, for your insights on this complex matter. As the situation unfolds, it’s essential to remain vigilant and informed.
Dr. Cohen: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for resilience and peace in the region.
Moderator: This has been an engaging discussion with Dr. Rachel Cohen. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to monitor the developments in northern Israel on Time.news.