The IDF is bracing for potential psychological warfare tactics from Hezbollah Sunday, as tensions continue to escalate along the northern border. Military officials warn that the group may attempt to salvage its reputation through propaganda and disinformation campaigns following recent setbacks.
The cautionary stance comes amid a significant increase in Hezbollah's rocket attacks on northern Israel, with over 100 projectiles reaching as far as Yokneam, Afula, and Nof HaGalil. In response, the IDF conducted widespread strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, focusing on degrading the group's operational capabilities.
Video: Footage captures moment of missile impact in Kiryat Bialik / Credit: Free usage under Israeli copyright law (Section 27A)
The IDF's counteroffensive included approximately 300 strikes on targets since Saturday, primarily rocket launchers, encompassing thousands of launch tubes intended to harm Israeli civilians. Some targets were struck moments before activation, based on intelligence of Hezbollah's imminent intent to fire toward northern Israel.
Overnight, excluding morning barrages, about 24-25 rockets were fired at Israel in three waves: 7 at 1:10 a.m., 12 at 4:50 a.m., and 5 at 5:10 a.m. The attacks ended without direct hits, though interceptor debris lightly injured one civilian and damaged a dairy farm in Beit She'arim, harming livestock.
Additionally, two unmanned aerial vehicles from Iraq were intercepted outside Israel's borders in the eastern region during the night.
In response to the escalation, the Home Front Command raised the alert level from 2 to 3 for areas from Haifa northward, including restrictions on open-area gatherings. The rest of the country maintains existing precautionary measures, with no changes to instructions, including for schools. These guidelines, approved by the Defense Minister, resulted from a nightlong assessment.
In related news, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said with regard to the escalation, "In recent days, we have inflicted a series of blows on Hezbollah that they never imagined. If Hezbollah hasn't understood the message, I promise you – they will understand the message. We are determined to safely return our residents in the north to their homes. No country can tolerate firing on its residents, firing on its cities – and neither will we, the State of Israel, tolerate it. We will do everything necessary to restore security."
Similarly, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed, "The operations will continue until the goal is achieved."
