Hezbollah claims rocket launch at Israeli Rafael military industrial complex
Beirut, March 15
Hezbollah said on Sunday that it launched a rocket barrage targeting an Israeli military industrial complex north of the Kiryat area.
In a statement, the group said it targeted the military industrial complex belonging to Israel's state-owned defence technology company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems at around 8:30 a.m. local time.
Hezbollah said the attack was carried out "in defence of Lebanon and its people," Xinhua news agency reported.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli side on the claim.
Earlier on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces said it conducted a wave of strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure across Lebanon.
Hezbollah claimed several drone and missile strikes on Israeli sites on Sunday, as regional escalation continues to widen following a US-Israeli attack on Iran.
In separate statements, the group said the attacks were carried out "in response to the Israeli aggression" targeting dozens of Lebanese cities and towns, including Beirut's southern suburbs.
The group added that it fired a rocket barrage at the Israeli settlement of Nahariya, and an air defence system in the Ma'alot-Tarshiha area in northern Israel.
Hezbollah said its fighters also shelled gatherings of Israeli soldiers at the Jabiyah point opposite the Lebanese border town of Meiss El Jabal, and at the Hadbat al-Ajl position north of the Kfar Yuval settlement.
A large rocket barrage also targeted Israeli soldiers gathered in Khallet al-Mahafir on the outskirts of the border town of Adaisseh in southern Lebanon and at the Avivim barracks, the group said, adding that another attack hit the Rafael military industries complex north of the Krayot area in northern Israel.
Hezbollah also claimed a drone strike on Israeli military vehicles near Adaisseh, and the Palmachim Airbase south of Tel Aviv, about 140 km from the Lebanese border.
Hostilities have escalated since February 28 when Israel and the US launched joint attacks on Iran, killing around 1,200 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.
The conflict also spilled over to Lebanon, with the Israeli Army expanding attacks that have killed more than 800 people and injured over 2,000 others since March 2 amid cross-border attacks with Hezbollah.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The human cost is heartbreaking. Over 800 killed and 2000 injured in Lebanon alone? These are just numbers in a news report, but each one is a family shattered. The international community needs to step in more forcefully to stop this cycle of violence. 🙏
Targeting a defence tech company like Rafael is a significant move. It shows the conflict is moving beyond border skirmishes to hitting strategic assets. Worrying for regional security. India must stay vigilant and ensure our interests in the Middle East are protected.
The article mentions the US-Israeli attack on Iran killed 1200 people. That's a massive number. While Hezbollah's actions are problematic, the scale of the initial provocation can't be ignored. The root cause needs addressing, not just the symptoms.
As an Indian, my primary concern is for our diaspora in the region, especially in Israel and the Gulf. Also, any major war disrupts trade routes and energy supplies. Our government's balanced stance is the need of the hour. Jai Hind.
With respect, I feel the reporting could provide more context on Hezbollah's designation as a terrorist organization by many countries. The article mainly paraphrases their statements. A more critical lens would help readers understand the full picture.
A Aditi M