What Happened

Residents of Nahariya and Acre in northern Israel have faced increased threats from Hezbollah, with rising drone and missile attacks putting an additional 120,000 Israelis within range. Nahariya experienced three separate alerts on Sunday after a drone caused a fire, while Acre has faced consecutive days of alarms. Meanwhile, a barrage of rockets hit Katzrin in the Golan Heights, igniting several fires.

Why It Matters

The north of Israel, home to substantial Israeli populations, is increasingly threatened by Hezbollah’s escalated use of advanced tactics such as drones and anti-tank missiles. These attacks not only endanger residents but also strain emergency services and military responses.

Details

Nahariya under Threat

In Nahariya, a city of 66,000 residents, a drone crash sparked a significant fire. Despite multiple interception attempts by the IDF, residents retreated to shelters thrice on Sunday. Mayor Ronen Marelly indicated that the city had returned to normal but would decide on school operations early Monday morning.

Acre Facing Consecutive Alarms

Acre, home to 52,000, has had its third consecutive day of sirens. Drone fragments were discovered in city areas, adding to the tension.

Katzrin Faces Rocket Barrages

The largest town in the Golan Heights, Katzrin, was also targeted, resulting in numerous fires. IDF forces and firefighters, supported by planes, worked for hours to control the blazes. Despite the adversity, community evacuation measures were not implemented.

Expanded IDF Operations

In response to these threats, the IDF launched counter-offensive strikes targeting significant Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. This included strikes in Ayta ash Shab, Tayr Harfa, and other areas, causing considerable enemy damage.

The Big Picture

Data from the Alma Research and Education Center shows a notable increase in the number of Hezbollah attacks. May alone recorded 325 incidents, a significant rise from 238 in April, with drone and anti-tank missile attacks increasing notably. These increased attacks make it clear that Israel’s northern front faces heightened threats that demand sustained vigilance and a robust defense strategy.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.