Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese armed group launched multiple rocket attacks on the northern Israeli port city of Haifa and the town of Tiberias late on Sunday, according to Israeli authorities. The barrage of rocket fire, which injured at least eight people and caused significant damage to infrastructure, represents a further intensification of cross-border hostilities, which have been ongoing since October 2023.
The Israeli military confirmed that around five rockets, fired by Hezbollah, struck Haifa. Meanwhile, Tiberias, located to the east along the shores of the Sea of Galilee, was hit by another barrage of rockets, resulting in one additional injury. In response, Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut, Lebanon, while also mobilizing further military forces in the region.
According to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hezbollah launched more than 135 rockets into northern Israel on Sunday alone. At approximately 23:22 local time (20:22 GMT), air raid sirens blared in the Carmel and Bay areas of Haifa, warning residents of the impending danger. Shortly afterward, five rockets reportedly crossed the border, with some landing in the city, causing damage to civilian infrastructure and injuring multiple individuals.
“Interceptors were fired. Fallen projectiles were identified in the area. The incident is under review,” the IDF said, acknowledging that their air defense systems had failed to intercept all the rockets.
Eyewitnesses described the scenes of destruction in Haifa. Geolocated CCTV footage captured the moment one of the rockets exploded near a roundabout close to a supermarket and several apartment buildings. Emergency services and local residents rushed to the scene to inspect the damage, which included shattered windows, destroyed cars, and debris strewn across streets.
Tal Rosen, a member of the emergency services, recounted his experience to Reuters, saying he had been at home about 500 meters from the impact site when he heard the explosion. “In the beginning, we didn’t find any injuries and then I saw in this building,” Rosen said, gesturing to a nearby apartment complex with shattered windows. “There were shards of glass in this building. I went inside and I found four people with minor to moderate injuries.”
Among those injured in Haifa was a 13-year-old boy who sustained shrapnel wounds to his head. He was treated by Magen David Adom (MDA), Israel’s emergency medical service, and was reported to be in moderate condition. A 22-year-old man also suffered head injuries after falling through a window during the blast and was likewise in moderate condition.
Meanwhile, in Tiberias, located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) to the east, a separate rocket strike left a man in his 20s in serious condition. He suffered shrapnel injuries to his chest and abdomen, and emergency services reported that he was in stable condition after receiving treatment. Several buildings and properties were damaged in both cities, though Israeli authorities have not yet released a complete assessment of the destruction.
The IDF stated that around 15 rockets were detected as crossing the Lebanese border at the same time as the attack on Haifa. While some were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, others managed to land in civilian areas, contributing to the injuries and damage reported.
In a statement, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that they were in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes that had previously targeted the group’s leadership. The Lebanese group specifically mentioned that its rocket barrage targeted a military base near Haifa, known as the Carmel base, and that it had fired “a salvo of Fadi 1 rockets.” Hezbollah claimed this was part of its ongoing effort to “repel Israeli aggression” following the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike last month.
Despite having suffered a series of severe blows over the last few weeks, including the loss of key commanders and extensive damage to its military infrastructure in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah has remained defiant. On Monday, the group reiterated its confidence in being able to resist Israeli military advances and declared that its forces were fully prepared to continue the fight.
In response to the rocket fire, Israel conducted a fresh round of airstrikes in Beirut, specifically targeting areas believed to be Hezbollah strongholds. According to the Israeli military, the strikes were aimed at disabling Hezbollah’s rocket-launching capabilities and degrading the group’s ability to launch future attacks. The exact toll of the airstrikes in Beirut has not yet been confirmed, though Lebanese sources reported significant damage to military installations and some civilian areas.
Israeli forces have also intensified their ground operations in southern Lebanon. A third division of Israeli troops has been deployed to the region to bolster the ongoing invasion, which began following Hezbollah’s initial attacks in early October. Israeli forces are reportedly engaged in heavy fighting in and around border villages, where Hezbollah fighters are mounting strong resistance.
The latest rocket strikes are part of a broader conflict that has been unfolding in the region since October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel in support of the Palestinian group Hamas. Hezbollah’s rocket campaign was initiated following Hamas’s deadly assault on southern Israel a day earlier, in which hundreds of Israeli civilians were killed. In the weeks since, hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel have steadily escalated, with cross-border rocket fire and Israeli airstrikes becoming a near-daily occurrence.
The conflict has led to significant disruptions in the lives of civilians on both sides of the border. Tens of thousands of Israelis have been displaced from their homes in northern Israel due to the ongoing rocket attacks. Many of these displaced residents have been temporarily relocated to safer areas farther south, while the Israeli government has vowed to restore security to the region and allow residents to return home.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the situation on Sunday, reaffirming the government’s commitment to the safety of its citizens. “We will do whatever it takes to ensure that our people can return to their homes near the Lebanese border,” Netanyahu said in a televised address. “Hezbollah’s attacks will not go unanswered, and we will continue to pursue every option to neutralize this threat.”
The international community has expressed growing concern over the intensifying conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The United Nations and several European countries have called for restraint on both sides, urging a cessation of hostilities to prevent further civilian casualties and the risk of a wider regional war. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement condemning Hezbollah’s rocket attacks while also calling on Israel to refrain from excessive military retaliation.
“The cycle of violence must stop. Both sides must prioritize the protection of civilians and work toward a de-escalation of tensions,” Guterres said.
As the conflict continues, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon is rapidly deteriorating. Southern Lebanon, in particular, has been heavily affected by Israeli airstrikes, and large swathes of civilian infrastructure have been destroyed. Thousands of Lebanese civilians have fled their homes, seeking refuge in safer areas farther north or across the border in Syria. Humanitarian organizations have warned of an impending crisis, with food, water, and medical supplies running low in many areas.
Lebanon, already facing political and economic turmoil, is struggling to cope with the impact of the conflict. The Lebanese government has condemned Israel’s military operations, accusing it of targeting civilian areas, but has so far been unable to rein in Hezbollah’s actions or prevent further escalation.
