HEZBOLLAH LAUNCHES ROCKET ATTACKS ON ISRAELI BASES AS US DIPLOMACY PUSHES FOR CEASEFIRE
Hezbollah announced early Tuesday that it launched multiple rocket strikes targeting two significant Israeli military installations near Tel Aviv and a naval base west of Haifa.
This escalation coincides with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Israel, aimed at reviving diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire.
Despite ongoing negotiations, the year-long conflict in Gaza and the recent hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel remain unresolved. The last few weeks have seen a marked increase in violence, following a year of sporadic clashes mainly along Lebanon’s southern border.
Following a night of intense Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, Hezbollah confirmed it had aimed at the Glilot military base, linked to Israeli intelligence Unit 8200, and targeted the Nirit area near Tel Aviv, along with the naval facility by Haifa.
Initial reports have not indicated any casualties. Israeli authorities confirmed air sirens were activated in southeast Tel Aviv due to projectiles launched from Lebanon, landing in open areas. Israel’s advanced defense systems intercepted most incoming threats since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict.
Blinken's visit is his 11th to the region since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas, which ignited the Gaza war. His trip aligns with Israel's intensified military operations against groups backed by Iran, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
During his visit, Blinken aims to renew discussions on the Gaza conflict and address rising tensions in Lebanon. His agenda includes meetings in Jordan and Doha, focusing on post-conflict security and governance. A senior State Department official noted that he will discuss Israel’s response to Iran’s recent ballistic missile attack and stress the importance of concrete actions to improve conditions in Gaza.
Last week, Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged Israeli officials to take substantial steps to alleviate the situation in Gaza or risk facing restrictions on US military aid.
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