Israel's defense falters: Unprecedented drone assault by Lebanon
Israeli media have reported an "unprecedented attack" by Lebanese drones. In the shelling in the Binyamina area, located in the center of the country, at least 67 people were injured. Four individuals are described as being in critical condition.
The Jerusalem Post writes about an "unprecedented attack." Not only did the defence system fail, but the alarms also did not activate. One of the three drones sent from Lebanon broke through the Israeli air defence and struck in the Binyamina area, deep within the country.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, on Sunday evening, a Hezbollah drone attack resulted in about 53 casualties. Four of them are in critical condition, and five are seriously injured. Another 14 people required hospitalization. Medical services assisted on-site to the remaining individuals.
The IDF has launched an investigation to determine why one of the drones was able to bypass the air defense and penetrate so far into the country. The reasons for the failure to activate warnings for residents are also being examined.
Attack on military base
Hezbollah attacked the Golani Brigade military base in Binyamina with a "swarm of drones," as stated in the group's communiqué issued after the strike. As of now, it is unclear whether the injured are civilians or military personnel, reported the AP news agency.
Fighters have conveyed that the attack was carried out "in support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in solidarity with their brave and honorable resistance, as well as in defense of Lebanon and its people."
In the past 24 hours, the Israel Defense Forces reportedly conducted 200 airstrikes on Hezbollah targets across Lebanon.
Escalation in the Middle East
The Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah has been regularly shelling northern Israel since the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip a year ago, leading to strong counterattacks. For several weeks, Israel has been conducting intensive airstrikes on Lebanon and a ground operation in the south of that country, declaring that their goal is to eliminate the threat posed by Hezbollah. Even before the latest campaign began, over 100,000 civilians threatened by mutual shelling were evacuated from the border areas of both countries.
Despite intensified attacks, Hezbollah continues to launch dozens or hundreds of missiles at Israel almost daily. The rockets are usually aimed at the north of the country, with most of them intercepted by the air defense. At the end of September, Hezbollah attacked Tel Aviv with rockets for the first time.
On Saturday, the Lebanese group reported striking the city with a "swarm of drones," and the army reported shooting down two drones. In recent weeks, Haifa, located roughly 80 kilometres from the border with Lebanon, has also been increasingly attacked. Binyamina is located between Haifa and Tel Aviv.
