Politics Heavy shelling between Israel and Hezbollah

Following the devastating attacks in Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel have come under some of the heaviest fire since their renewed confrontation began almost a year ago. On Sunday night, the pro-Iranian militia fired dozens of rockets from Lebanon into northern Israel, reaching further than at any time since Hezbollah began attacking Israel almost a year ago. The Israeli air force, in turn, said it had been flying attacks on hundreds of Hezbollah positions in Lebanon since Saturday afternoon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement: "In the past few days, we have hit Hezbollah with a series of strikes that it did not expect." According to the Times of Israel, he also said: "If Hezbollah did not get the message, I promise you that it will get the message."

According to Israeli reports, most of the Hezbollah projectiles were intercepted and there were no reports of casualties in Israel. Medics reported six injured. The Israeli army spoke of around 115 attacks from the air on civilian areas in northern Israel. The armed forces were deployed in the area for defense and were on high alert to thwart the threats. Israel's army will continue "and intensify" its attacks against the militia, it added. According to Israeli media reports, there were strikes in the north. In Kiriat Bialik near the port city of Haifa, two houses were hit, reported "ynet". There were also rocket alerts in Haifa itself.

The Lebanese authorities reported three deaths as a result of the renewed Israeli airstrikes. Three people were also injured in the incident in two villages in the south. The Israeli army did not initially provide any details.

Hezbollah under increased pressure

In recent days, Israel has noticeably increased the pressure on Hezbollah with several serious attacks. Since Tuesday, at least 86 people have been killed and more than 3,000 injured in explosions of communications equipment, a massive airstrike in a suburb of Beirut and attacks in the south of the country, the majority of them probably Hezbollah members. Observers see the militia under pressure to react.

At the same time, there is concern about a possible Israeli ground offensive in the south of the neighboring country. Israel wants to push Hezbollah out of the border area again in order to guarantee the safety of its citizens in the north and to enable the return of displaced persons.

Hezbollah: Fired on military base and arms company

Hezbollah declared that it had fired dozens of rockets at Israel, including at the Ramat David military base near Haifa and the airport there, as well as at a site belonging to the Israeli arms company Rafael.

Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq also launched new attacks. The group "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" - a coalition of militias in the country - declared that its fighters had attacked an "important target" in Israel with drones, without giving details. They would continue their attacks, it added.

Israel's army announced in the morning that it had intercepted a missile coming from the east before it reached Israeli territory. According to the military, several drones approaching Israel from Iraq were intercepted during the night. Since the beginning of the Gaza war almost a year ago, there have been repeated attacks on Israel by the so-called "resistance axis" of Iran's allies.

Restrictions for residents of the north

In view of the escalation, the army tightened restrictions for residents in northern Israel early on Sunday morning. No classes were allowed to take place on the Golan Heights and in the coastal city of Haifa, among other places. Workplaces could only be visited if there was a shelter nearby, as reported by the "Times of Israel". Outdoor gatherings were limited to a maximum of 10 people and indoor gatherings to 100 participants. According to media reports, hospitals in northern Israel have also been instructed to move their patients to shelters.

Israeli minister: Hezbollah senses our capabilities

According to Israeli Defense Minister Joav Galant, the Hezbollah militia is coming under increasing pressure from his country's military might. Hezbollah has begun to feel the effect of the military capabilities of the Israeli armed forces. "And it feels that it is being pursued," Galant said, according to his office.

"The activities will continue until we reach a point where we can ensure the safe return of the residents of Israel's northern communities to their homes - that is our goal, that is our mission, and we will use the necessary means to achieve it," Galant continued.

According to Hezbollah, it will not stop its attacks on Israel until a ceasefire is reached between Israel and its ally, the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

UN Special Coordinator: Middle East on the brink of catastrophe

The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, sees the region "on the brink of an imminent catastrophe." It cannot be emphasized often enough that there is no military solution "that will make either side safer," she said. The UN observer mission Unifil has been monitoring the border area between Israel and Lebanon since 1978.