Hezbollah has launched over 50 rockets at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, striking several private homes and causing significant damage. The attack on Wednesday follows a recent surge in violence between the militant group and Israel, escalating tensions in the region.
The rocket fire hit the Golan Heights just a day after U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with Egyptian and Qatari officials in a bid to broker a cease-fire in the ongoing Gaza conflict. Despite these diplomatic efforts, both Hamas and Israel have indicated that substantial hurdles remain.
Hamas criticized the latest cease-fire proposal from the U.S., labeling it as a “reversal” of previous agreements and accusing the U.S. of yielding to “new conditions” from Israel. The U.S. has yet to respond to these claims.
In the Golan Heights attack, first responders treated a 30-year-old man for shrapnel injuries and reported that one house was set ablaze. Firefighters managed to prevent a larger disaster by stopping a gas leak.
Hezbollah claimed the rocket attack was retaliation for an Israeli strike on Lebanon the previous night, which resulted in one death and 19 injuries. Earlier this week, Hezbollah had fired over 200 projectiles into Israel in response to an Israeli attack on a Hezbollah weapons depot.
The ongoing exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah have intensified over the past 10 months. This conflict has resulted in over 500 deaths in Lebanon—mainly militants but also around 100 civilians—and 49 fatalities in Israel, including 23 soldiers and 26 civilians.
Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed it, a move only recognized by the U.S. while the international community views it as occupied Syrian territory.
Commercial Ship Attacked in Red Sea, Suspected of Houthi Rebels
In the Red Sea, a commercial ship came under sustained attack on Wednesday, leaving it “not under command,” according to the British military. The vessel was targeted by small arms fire and three projectiles in an assault suspected to be carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
The attack comes amid a broader campaign by the Houthis targeting ships due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Details about the attack remain scarce, and while the Houthis have not officially claimed responsibility, their involvement is suspected based on previous patterns.
Israel Shifts Military Focus to Lebanese Border Amid Escalating Conflict
In Israel, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has announced a strategic shift, moving the military’s focus from Gaza to the border with Lebanon. During a visit to northern Israel, Gallant noted that while operations in Gaza continue, the primary attention is now on Hezbollah militants.
Since the attack by Hamas on October 7, Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in near-daily clashes. The recent escalation includes Hezbollah’s retaliation for an Israeli airstrike in Beirut that killed a senior Hezbollah commander.
On Tuesday, Hezbollah launched more than 120 projectiles at northern Israel, causing property damage and fires. Israel has responded by targeting the sources of these attacks.
The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 500 deaths in Lebanon, including at least 100 civilians, while 49 people have died in Israel, comprising 23 soldiers and 26 civilians.
