Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was briefed on recent security events on the northern border and gave initial directives to the chief of staff and the wider defense establishment. The attacks on the Galilee are a major escalation, not seen since the May 2021 war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The overall context is that Hezbollah and Iran appear willing to take more risks in their confrontation with Israel. While neither of them may be directly responsible for the rocket attacks, Hezbollah controls southern Lebanon, and attacks from there are linked to the wider threat from the two across the North.
Iran and Hezbollah taking risks
The threat and the risks that Iran and Hezbollah are willing to take are apparent from an earlier incident this week in which Israel brought down an unidentified aircraft. Hezbollah also appears to be taking risks.
Reports on Wednesday, on the eve of Passover, also said Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was traveling to Lebanon. This came after rockets were fired from Gaza overnight. Iran’s hand behind the tensions is clear, as Iran carried out a similar escalation before the May 2021 conflict.
