Israeli airstrikes against Lebanon continue to grow but claims that they’ve massively weakened Hezbollah’s capabilities hasn’t translated to less rocket fire from that organization. Today, at least eight were killed in northern Israel by Hezbollah rocket attacks.
The larger incident occurred near Metula, which is right on the border next to Lebanese village Kfar Kela. Israeli media reported the rockets appeared to target a group of Israeli soldiers. Lebanese reports, however, were that those killed included a farmer and four foreign workers in an apple orchard. The death toll has been put at five, with an unspecified number of wounded.
Other fatal strikes were reported at an olive grove in Kiryat Ata, a village near Haifa. Details are still emerging, but at least two were killed and one wounded.
Another direct hit was reported in Fraam, where rescue teams were said to be en route, but it’s not clear if there were any casualties there.
This brings the total Israeli death toll since cross border attacks started to 39. Today was the deadliest day for Israel since July 27, when rockets hit the Druze town of Majdal Shams, killing 12. On the Lebanese side, over 2,000 people have been killed in Israeli strikes since the Israeli invasion began on September 23.
These rocket strikes and deaths will undoubtedly be a substantial topic as the US presses Israel to agree to a ceasefire. How that discussion is going is highly speculative, though a leaked draft of topics last night suggested most were the same as calls for a deal months before the war began.
