Latest Developments
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed Hamas commander Muhammed Jabara in an airstrike in Lebanon on July 18. Hamas has increased its threats from Lebanon in recent years and has used the country to carry out rocket attacks against Israel since the Hamas massacre of October 7. “Both Hamas, the Gaza Strip-based Palestinian terror group, and al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya, or Islamic Group, a Lebanese terror group, claimed Muhammed Jabara as a member and a commander,” The Times of Israel noted. Jabara was from the town of Qaraoun and was struck in the area of the Western Beqaa, 25 miles north of the Israeli border with Lebanon.
Expert Analysis
“Hamas’s threats from Lebanon are part of Iran’s attempts to create a multi-front war against Israel. Hamas has been able to increase its attacks from Lebanon since its October 7 massacre because of Iran’s influence in Lebanon through Hezbollah. Hezbollah and Hamas, along with other Iranian-backed terrorist groups in the region, have been coordinating their attacks on Israel over the last nine months.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow
“The ongoing conflict in the north has exposed the extent of Hamas’s partnership with various terror groups in Lebanon, including the Islamic Group. This development highlights the Lebanese network of terrorist organizations beyond Hezbollah that are actively working to threaten Israel.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal
Hezbollah Increases Attacks on Northern Israel
Hezbollah increased attacks on northern Israel on July 17, launching dozens of rockets at Israeli communities, according to Iranian state media. The Iranian outlets seek to highlight the attacks to spotlight how Hezbollah continues to prevent Israelis from returning to northern Israel. Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency claimed that “rockets prompted sirens in Nahariya, causing panic among Israeli settlers, and more than 60,000 people went to bunkers in fear of attacks.” Iran and pro-Hezbollah networks refer to all Israelis as “settlers” in an attempt to delegitimize the entire Jewish state.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah claimed on July 17 that Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel were causing pressure on Israel that was “working” in Hezbollah’s favor. Israel responded to the attacks with a strike on Hezbollah terror infrastructure.
“Hezbollah Releases New Drone Footage Showing Israeli Military Bases,” FDD Flash Brief
“Two Israeli Civilians Killed by Hezbollah Rocket Barrage in Golan Heights,” FDD Flash Brief
“Iran’s Foreign Minister Threatens Israel With ‘Hell’ if War with Hezbollah Escalates,” FDD Flash Brief
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