Hezbollah announced early on Tuesday that it had launched volleys of rockets targeting two key Israeli bases near Tel Aviv and a naval base west of Haifa.
This escalation occured as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to arrive in Israel to initiate another round of diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire.
Despite ongoing diplomatic attempts, the year-long Gaza war and the subsequent conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel have failed to see a resolution. Recent weeks have witnessed a dramatic intensification of hostilities, following a year of intermittent exchanges of fire predominantly along Lebanon’s southern border.
After a night marked by heavy Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon and the suburbs of its capital, Hezbollah stated that it had targeted the Glilot base, associated with Unit 8200 of the Israeli military intelligence, and the Nirit area in the suburbs of Tel Aviv. Additionally, rockets were fired at a naval base near Haifa.
Initial reports did not indicate any casualties. Israeli authorities confirmed that air sirens were activated in areas southeast of Tel Aviv due to a projectile that was identified crossing from Lebanon and landing in an open area. Other sirens were also sounded in Tel Aviv. Israel’s advanced air defence systems have successfully intercepted most missiles and drones launched against it since the onset of the Gaza war.
Blinken’s visit marks his 11th trip to the region since the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on 7th October 2023, sparking the Gaza war. His trip coincides with Israel’s intensified military actions against Iranian-backed groups, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
During his visit, Blinken aims to revive negotiations to resolve the ongoing Gaza war and ease tensions in Lebanon. His itinerary includes discussions in Jordan and Doha, with a focus on security and governance issues post-conflict. A senior State Department official indicated that he would address Israel’s response to Iran’s 1st October ballistic missile attack and emphasise the need for concrete plans to address the deteriorating situation in Gaza.
Last week, Blinken and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin urged Israeli officials to take decisive actions to improve conditions in Gaza or risk facing potential restrictions on US military aid.
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