Israeli soldiers evacuating wounded by helicopter after Hezbollah fire, near the border, Sept. 19, 2024. (Credit: Margolin/Reuters)
Tensions flared along the Israel-Lebanon border on Thursday, with heavy cross-border fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah leaving at least two Israeli soldiers dead. The escalation follows consecutive Israeli operations targeting Hezbollah's telecommunications equipment on Tuesday and Wednesday — raising concerns about a potential broader conflict.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli military reported that anti-tank rockets and drones launched by Hezbollah had wounded at least 10 people in northern Israel. By the afternoon, Haaretz, citing the military, confirmed the deaths of two soldiers. While the specific location of their deaths was not disclosed, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a series of strikes earlier that morning.
Exploding drones and blackouts
Hezbollah claimed to have launched its first strike at 7:45 a.m., targeting an Israeli "soldiers' assembly point" at the al-Marj position, facing the Lebanese village of Markaba (Marjayoun district). The group said the attack "caused deaths and injuries."
According to Haaretz, eight Israelis were wounded by "Hezbollah anti-tank rockets." Videos circulating in Israeli media showed rockets landing near Margaliot, in the so-called "Finger of Galilee" region, which also faces Lebanese Markaba. The Israeli military said it retaliated by targeting "the source of the attack." Israeli media reported that eight soldiers were evacuated to hospitals in Safed and Haifa, two of them in serious condition.
Hezbollah also claimed responsibility for additional strikes using exploding drones against Israeli artillery and military positions in Beit Hillel, across from the Lebanese village of Houla (Marjayoun), and against a military position in Ya'ara, opposite the Lebanese town of Alma al-Shaab (Sour). Haaretz reported that these strikes, which were in retaliation for Israeli aggression in southern Lebanon, left two people injured, one seriously, in Ya'ara. The Israeli military confirmed that drones had fallen near Beit Hillel. In the evening, Haaretz reported that Hezbollah's fire had also caused power outages in several northern Israeli localities.
Hezbollah strike on occupied Golan Heights
Hezbollah also claimed responsibility for a series of strikes against Israeli positions, including attacks on the Ramia sites, two strikes on a military position in Zar'it, and another on the Hanita. The party launched further strikes concurrently during a speech by Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, which it also said is in retaliation for Israeli strikes on South Lebanon.
These attacks included Katyusha rocket salvos targeting the Mattat and Shomera barracks, as well as the headquarters of the 810th Harmoun Brigade in the Ma'ale barracks in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
And while Israel launched several strikes against southern Lebanon, particularly on Wednesday night, it was during Nasrallah's speech that the Hebrew state brought out the heavy artillery. The Hezbollah leader had barely begun to speak, following the beeper and walkie-talkie attacks of Tuesday and Wednesday, when the Israeli air force carried out a series of violent raids all along the border, from the caza of Tyre in the west to that of Hasbaya in the east, according to local sources contacted by our correspondent Mountasser Abdallah.
While Israel had launched several strikes on southern Lebanon, particularly on Wednesday night, it was during Nasrallah's speech that Israel escalated its response. As Nasrallah began speaking, following the Tuesday and Wednesday attacks involving pager and walkie-talkie detonations, the Israeli air force launched a series of violent strikes along the border, from Sour in the west to Hasbaya in the east, according to local sources contacted by our regional correspondent.
These strikes included Jennata, Deir Kanoun el-Nahr, Mjadel, Markaba, Qabrikha, Bani Hayan, Mansouri, Deir Amess, Haris, Deir Antar, Haniyé, Zebqine, Froun, and Rab el-Talatine. According to our correspondent's sources, the bombardments mainly targeted valleys and wooded areas, with many of the localities being bombed for the first time since October 8, 2023.
The strikes hit multiple villages, including Jannata, Deir Qanoun al-Nahr, Mjadal, Markaba, Qabrikha, Bani Hayan, Mansouri, Deir Amess, Haris, Deir Antar, Hanieh, Zebqine, Froun, and Robb al-Thalatine. According to our correspondent's sources, the bombardments targeted valleys and wooded areas, many of which had been hit for the first time since the beginning of the hostilities on Oct. 8, 2023.
Israeli army claims to kill 'bomb planter' amid fears of escalation
The Israeli army claimed to have killed two people attempting "to plant a bomb" near a military outpost on the Lebanese border, Haaretz reported. According to an army spokesperson, the individuals were killed by Israeli gunfire and airstrikes. No casualties have been reported on the Lebanese side.
These developments come amid growing concerns at the Pentagon about a possible Israeli ground offensive in southern Lebanon, according to The Wall Street Journal. Following recent attacks in Lebanon, Israel has moved a division of commandos and paratroopers to the northern border. However, U.S. officials indicated there are no signs of an imminent ground invasion. "Even if a decision is made, it will be weeks before Israeli forces are in a position to launch a major offensive," officials told the WSJ. They also warned that Israel could still carry out a smaller-scale operation without a major military deployment.
In Israel, several media outlets reported that hundreds of northern residents received false alarm messages instructing them to take shelter, though the messages were not sent by the army. According to KAN News, authorities are investigating the possibility that the alerts were sent by Iran.