Hezbollah Targets Israeli Forces on Northern Border

Latest Developments

The Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah carried out several attacks on northern Israel on April 30 and May 1. Hezbollah claimed it targeted an Israeli military barracks at Biranit, near the Lebanese border, according to the pro-Iranian news network Al-Mayadeen. Sirens sounded in northern Israel in the morning on May 1 in several communities near the border. Hezbollah also targeted an area near the Israeli community of Metula using anti-tank missiles. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes on buildings where terrorists had gathered in Lebanon, the IDF said.

According to the IDF, Hezbollah has launched more than 3,100 rockets, missiles, and drones at Israel since October 8, when it began supporting Hamas in its war on Israel. On April 26, Hezbollah killed an Israeli civilian in an attack on Mount Dov, a disputed area along the border in northern Israel.

Expert Analysis

“Hezbollah’s continued threats constitute a danger to Israeli civilians in northern Israel and prevent thousands of Israelis who were evacuated last year due to Hezbollah’s attacks from returning to their homes. The Iranian-backed terrorist group must be deterred from further attacks, and its forces should be removed from the border area so that there can be peace and stability on the border of Israel and Lebanon.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“The threat of conflict expanding between Hezbollah and Israel continues to persist. Hezbollah joined the war to aid Hamas and exhaust the Israeli military. However, nearly seven months later, the Israeli military has not been exhausted by Hezbollah’s repeated attacks, and Israel is preparing for a significant operation to dismantle Hamas in Rafah.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

IDF Says Hezbollah Struck Civilian Truck Transporting Chickens

Hezbollah claimed on May 1, via a statement to pro-Iranian media, that it had attacked an IDF vehicle overnight in the border area near Ramot Naftali. In response, IDF spokesperson for Arab media Avichay Adraee said Hezbollah had attacked a civilian truck used to transport poultry. He shared an image of a damaged truck. “There is a huge gap between Hezbollah’s statements and claims and the truth,” he noted in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Lebanese Christian Leader Slams Hezbollah

Samir Geagea, the leader of Lebanon’s main Christian party, the Lebanese Forces Party, stated on May 1 that “Hezbollah should withdraw from areas along the border with Israel and the Lebanese army should deploy in all points where militants of the Iran-backed group have taken positions,” the Associated Press reported. “No one has the right to control the fate of a country and people on its own,” Geagea said. “Hezbollah is not the government in Lebanon. There is a government in Lebanon in which Hezbollah is represented.”  

Related Analysis

“Half of Hezbollah’s South Lebanon Commanders Killed,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Retaliates Against IDF Strike, Launches Barrage of Missiles,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hezbollah Claims to Target Multiple Sites in Northern Israel,” FDD Flash Brief