Israel is continuing its war in Gaza, about two hours to the north, into its seventh month, with a parallel war along its border with Lebanon, threatening a broader regional conflict.
Since October 8, when Hezbollah, Lebanon's Iran-backed Shiite militia and political party, launched attacks on Israel in solidarity with the Palestinian people, Israel has carried out nearly 4,000 attacks along its 120 km (75 miles) border. attacking the country.
Hezbollah was formed in 1982 to fight Israel's invasion and occupation of southern Lebanon. In 2006, the group fought a 34-day war that was widely seen as a strategic and military failure for Israel.
Hezbollah's top commander, Hassan Nasrallah, stopped short of declaring all-out war against Israel, but said his army was not afraid of becoming embroiled in an all-out war.
Hezbollah says its military operations against Israel will continue until Israel stops attacking Gaza. In response, Israeli leaders vowed to remove Hezbollah from southern Lebanon, even by force.
attack
According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), Israel, Hezbollah and other Lebanese armed groups exchanged at least 4,733 attacks across the border between October 7, 2023 and March 15, 2024. Ta.
Israel carried out about 83 percent of these attacks, totaling 3,952 attacks, while Hezbollah and other armed groups were responsible for 781 attacks.
Approximately 65% of all attacks were artillery or missile attacks, 25% were airstrikes or drone attacks, and the remaining 10% were armed clashes, property destruction, remote explosive devices, or improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
In addition to Hezbollah, which bore the brunt of hostilities, other notable forces involved in attacks against Israel include Lebanon's Al-Fajr Army and Amal Movement, Hamas's Qassam Brigades and Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades. is included. Palestinian groups maintain a presence in Lebanon.
Israel has attacked the following locations in southern Lebanon the most:
- Aita Al Shaab – 190
- Ras Al Naqoura – 154
- Hoora – 143
- Tile Halfa – 139
- Alma Ash Shabu – 134
Groups from Lebanon most frequently attacked the following locations in northern Israel:
- Kiryat Shmona – 62
- Margaliyot – 56
- Shethula – 43
- Shivaa Farm – 43
- Alamsha – 39
Attack timeline
Israeli warplanes and drones have been attacking targets across Lebanon and neighboring Syria with impunity for months.
Over the past six months, Hezbollah and other armed groups have attacked Israel an average of five times a day, while Israel has carried out five times as many attacks on Lebanon, about 25 times a day, according to ACLED.
ACLED also recorded at least 137 Hezbollah missile interceptions by Israel and eight interceptions of Israeli drones or missiles by Hezbollah.
On October 12, the Israeli military announced that one reservist was killed in a Hezbollah anti-tank guided missile attack.
The next day, October 13, Israeli forces killed Reuters journalist Essam Abdallah while filming cross-border shelling and wounded six other journalists, including two from Al Jazeera.
A United Nations investigation has found that an Israeli soldier fired two 120mm rounds from a Merkava tank at a group of “clearly identified journalists” in violation of international law.
On November 24, a week-long ceasefire took effect in the Gaza Strip. During this period, ACLED recorded at least nine attacks by Israel on Lebanon, but no attacks from the Lebanese side.
On January 2, Hamas deputy political leader Saleh al-Arouri was killed along with six others in Beirut in an apparent Israeli drone strike.
On January 6, Hezbollah targeted Meron Air Control Base with 62 missiles of various types, and al-Arouri's assassination appeared to trigger a change in approach.
On February 26, Israeli warplanes conducted three airstrikes on the village of Buday near Baalbek, a Hezbollah stronghold in the Bekaa Valley. This is the first Israeli attack on eastern Lebanon since October 7.
368 people died
Al Jazeera compiled a list of 368 people killed in Israeli attacks on Lebanon between October 8 and March 31, based on local media reports and statements from Hezbollah and other armed groups.
Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 295 Hezbollah and other militants in Lebanon over the past six months, and around 73 civilians, including children, doctors and journalists.
On February 14, two Israeli airstrikes targeting towns in southern Lebanon killed at least 10 civilians, including seven members of the same family, one of whom was a child.
Hezbollah's rocket fire killed about 12 Israeli soldiers and half of them civilians.
Tens of thousands of people evacuated
More than 90,000 people have been displaced by fighting in southern Lebanon, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The majority of displaced persons (96%) come from three regions along Lebanon's southern border: 71% from Bint Jbeir, 14% from Marjayoun, and 11% from Tire.
According to estimates by the Southern Council of Governments, Israeli attacks destroyed approximately 700 homes and damaged more than 10,000 homes, particularly in Daira and Burida. In addition, the Israeli attack destroyed dozens of vehicles, as well as water, electricity, and communication infrastructure.
On the Israeli side, residents of 28 towns and villages within 2 kilometers of the border were ordered to evacuate.
Israeli arsenal
Israel has the most advanced missiles in the Middle East, many of which are produced domestically, but most of its precision-guided missiles are American-made.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), many of Israel's capabilities are short-range tactical systems, including the Popeye, Extra, and Gabriel missiles.
Israel's long-range missiles include the Jericho 2 and Jericho 3 ballistic missiles, which have ranges of 1,500 to 3,500 km and 4,800 to 6,500 km, respectively.
Israel is also believed to have at least 90 nuclear weapons, although it has not officially acknowledged it.
To counter incoming rockets and missiles, Israel uses three integrated air defense systems: Iron Dome (short range), David Sling (medium range), and Arrow (long range).
Iron Dome was originally touted to provide city-sized coverage against rockets with a range of 4 to 70 km (2.5 to 43 miles), but experts say this has been expanded.
The David Sling, manufactured by Israeli arms giant Rafael, can intercept rockets and missiles with ranges of 40 to 300 km (25 to 186 miles), while the Arrow, led by the Arrow 3 interceptor, has an estimated flight range of up to 2,400 km (1,491 miles). ).
Hezbollah's arsenal
Hezbollah is considered one of the world's most heavily armed non-state actors and is estimated to contain 130,000 rockets, according to CSIS.
On October 19, the Israel National Security Institute released an estimate of Hezbollah's missile and drone inventory.
The newspaper said Hezbollah had 40,000 short-range Grad missiles with a range of 15 to 20 kilometers (9 to 12 miles).
Further enhancements include 80,000 long-range missiles, including Fajr-3 and Fajr-5 ballistic missiles with a range of 100 km (62 miles).
Finally, there are approximately 30,000 Zelzal or Fateh-110 missiles with a range of 200-300 km (124-186 miles), making them the longest-range weapon in Hezbollah's inventory capable of reaching southern Israel.
