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On the map: Hezbollah's response to Israel's assassination of Taleb Abdallah

The Israeli army said it had detected more than 200 missiles fired into its north from southern Lebanon on Wednesday alone.

On the map: Hezbollah's response to Israel's assassination of Taleb Abdallah

Mourners reach out to touch the coffin of Taleb Abdallah, also known as Abu Taleb, a senior field commander of Hezbollah who was killed in an Israel strike, during his funeral in Beirut's southern suburbs on June 12, 2024. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP)

BEIRUT — Following Israel's assassination of Taleb Abdallah on Tuesday evening, Hezbollah has been launching one strike after another against Israeli positions across the border. Abdallah, commander for the central area of the border strip, was the highest-ranking member of Hezbollah to be killed since fighting began on Oct. 8.

In 48 hours of escalation, Hezbollah has claimed a series of strikes, including against an industrial site linked to the Israeli army, simultaneous attacks using drone squadrons and missile fire, and attacks on various command headquarters more than 20 kilometers from the border.

Read more.

Who is Taleb Abdallah, the Hezbollah commander assassinated in Jwaya?

Wednesday marked a record number of announcements from Hezbollah regarding its military operations, with 19 statements released by the party detailing the various attacks carried out in retaliation for Abdallah's killing and the targeting of civilians. The Israeli army said it had detected more than 200 missiles fired into its north from southern Lebanon on Wednesday alone.

An infographic that shows the depth of the Hezbollah attacks on Wednesday in retaliation for the killing of one of its top commanders. (Credit: Guilhem Dorandeu)

While, throughout Wednesday, the Israeli sites targeted by Hezbollah were those that are regularly attacked and are very close to the Blue Line, notably the Hanita, Ruwaisat al-Alam, Birket Risha, Zar'it and Ramiya positions, other unusual strikes were soon added to the list.

On Thursday, Hezbollah said its fighters had targeted the headquarters of the"Northern Corps," located at the Ain Zeitim base, using dozens of Katyusha missiles and artillery shells, as well as the headquarters of the same unit's reserve, located in Amiad. The latter is close to Lake Tiberias, around 18 kilometers from the border, significantly further south than the area usually targeted by Hezbollah. The party also claimed responsibility for a strike against Meron, where one of the army's air control bases is located.

Al-Zaoura barracks, Kaila barracks, Yoav barracks, Katsavia base, Nafah base, and the Sahel battalion in Beit Halel were also targeted by Hezbollah, using drones, Katyusha rockets and Al-Falaq missiles.

Dadou Base (Northern Command headquarters), Mishar Base (the main intelligence unit for the northern region), and Katsavia Barracks (seventh Armored Brigade of the 210th Golan Division) were attacked using several explosive drones. Dadou Base is almost 30 kilometers from the border.

Hezbollah also targeted an Israeli airplane with an anti-aircraft missile on Wednesday, claiming the fighter jet then retreated. Hezbollah fired at an Israeli fighter jet for the first time last week, which experts noted was significant, although likely for deterrence rather than destruction.

Read more.

Hezbollah's first-ever targeting of Israeli jets and what it means for the war

In another unusual move, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a guided missile attack on a military factory "specializing in the armoring and protection of enemy army vehicles." The Israeli army confirmed that the "Plasan" factory, located in the town of Sasa, facing the Lebanese village of Rmeish in Bint Jbeil district, had been hit by an anti-tank missile. Hezbollah rarely targets industrial facilities.

Israel has not reported any casualties as a result of these various attacks, but fires broke out at several points along the border as a result of rocket fire and Iron Dome interceptor missiles.

According to Israeli military sources cited by Haaretz, the government has not yet decided on a large-scale military operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon but plans to conduct selective assassinations and targeted strikes on the group's senior commanders and key facilities.

On Wednesday, the United States called for "de-escalation," and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin discussed efforts to reduce tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border. A Pentagon spokesperson emphasized the need to prevent the conflict from escalating into a broader regional war.

BEIRUT — Following Israel's assassination of Taleb Abdallah on Tuesday evening, Hezbollah has been launching one strike after another against Israeli positions across the border. Abdallah, commander for the central area of the border strip, was the highest-ranking member of Hezbollah to be killed since fighting began on Oct. 8.In 48 hours of escalation, Hezbollah has claimed a series of...