Lebanese militant group Hezbollah launched one of its heaviest rocket barrages of the current conflict on Tuesday, firing more than 100 projectiles at the major northern Israeli port city of Haifa and military installations across the Galilee, sending hundreds of thousands of civilians into bomb shelters.
Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across Haifa, the Krayot suburbs, and surrounding coastal towns as Israel's Iron Dome and David's Sling air defense batteries engaged incoming salvos. Israeli emergency medical services reported that several people were injured by shrapnel and falling debris.
Massive Rocket Attack Triggers Sirens Across Haifa and Galilee
The intense bombardment coincided with a televised broadcast delivered by Hezbollah's deputy secretary-general, Sheikh Naim Qassem, who appeared before cameras in an undisclosed location for his second video address since the assassination of long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut.
In his speech, Qassem asserted that the group's leadership command remains cohesive and operational despite heavy leadership losses, stating that replacement commanders have been installed across all military divisions and that Israeli ground forces have failed to achieve significant advances in southern Lebanon.
“Our military capabilities are solid and our field leadership is fully coordinated. We support the political momentum spearheaded by Speaker Berri aimed at securing a ceasefire.” — Naim Qassem, Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah
Defiant Broadcast Asserts Operational Resilience and Diplomatic Openings
Significantly, Qassem voiced support for political ceasefire efforts being mediated by Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, notably without explicitly making a truce in Lebanon conditional on a halt to the war in the Gaza Strip, marking a subtle rhetorical shift.
The Israel Defense Forces responded with renewed airstrikes targeting suspected Hezbollah command bunkers, weapons depots, and rocket launchers in Beirut's southern suburbs of Dahiyeh and across southern Lebanon, as cross-border warfare entered an increasingly volatile phase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What areas were targeted in Hezbollah's rocket barrage?
Hezbollah targeted the port city of Haifa, the Krayot suburbs, and military positions across the Galilee in northern Israel.
What key point did Naim Qassem make in his address?
He stated that Hezbollah's military leadership is intact and expressed backing for ceasefire efforts led by Speaker Nabih Berri.
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