BEIRUT — Hezbollah launched a coordinated three-front rocket and drone barrage Sunday against Haifa, the Golan Heights, and northern Israel in what commanders called the group’s largest single-day offensive since October 2023. The barrages came hours after Israeli forces seized the 900-year-old Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon — the deepest ground advance since the 2006 war.
Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted more than 60 percent of incoming projectiles, but at least 34 people were wounded across Haifa, Tiberias, and the Upper Galilee. A civilian bus was hit near Acre, killing two. Israel’s military confirmed 12 soldiers killed and 47 wounded in Hezbollah counterattacks along the Litani River corridor. Hezbollah announced three of its senior commanders were among the dead.
Iran denied direct involvement but said “resistance allies are exercising their right to respond.” The UN Security Council voted 13-2 to demand an immediate 72-hour ceasefire — the US and France diverged publicly on enforcement language. Oil prices surged past $112/bbl on supply disruption fears as traders priced in potential disruptions to Mediterranean shipping routes.
Layla Hassan is a breaking news correspondent for Media Hook covering the Middle East and North Africa.