The night of October 7, 2024, witnessed alarms resonating across Tel Aviv and other city centers in central Israel as rockets were fired into the country from Lebanon. This attack came exactly one year after Hamas carried out a lethal assault that killed 1,200 people in Israel. According to the Israel Defense Forces, five rockets were launched, some that had been reportedly shot down, while others fell in open territories. Investigations continue to gather more information about the attack.
Hezbollah Admits Guilt
The Iranian-backed terrorist group Hezbollah claimed to have fired the rockets. They claim that they attacked the Glilot army base, which is between Tel Aviv and Herzliya. The IDF claims that Hezbollah’s rocket attacks have made this region sink into a multi-front war because they are constantly attacking Israeli civilians.
It is just after midnight. According to reports from the IDF, the rocket launches took place “under an hour before October 8th,” marking the first anniversary of last year’s attack. Early reports were circulating about a fire in a Segula cemetery in Petah Tikva, but later reports confirmed this is not part of the rocket attacks.
Effect On Israel
The rocket fire didn’t report any injury cases. The IDF confirmed that approximately five rockets fired from Lebanon were intercepted by IAF while others hit open territories safely. In response to the attacks, the IDF conducted strikes against Hezbollah’s “headquarters of intelligence” in Beirut.
Memorials Under Threat
The country, but also around the world, held memorial activities yesterday to mark the anniversary of the attacks. The big gatherings were forbidden nonetheless due to Hezbollah’s warning that its might attack Israel again. Only about 2,000 were permitted at the central memorial event organized in Tel Aviv. There was a minute of silence at Yarkon Park, organized by the families of the victims of last year.
Despite the curfews, thousands of people still managed to converge on Tel Aviv to pay homage to those who lost their lives. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also led a minute of silence at 6:29 AM, the exact time when Hamas started its attack last year.
Conflicts Unabated
The last rocket attack from Hamas was witnessed when rockets were fired at Israel as one landed in Haifa. In the security footage, the explosion was seen to have taken place in a quiet residential area and caused damage. The Israeli army has reported intercepting several rockets that were launched by Hamas from Gaza, which would have otherwise had catastrophic results. In order to counter this threat, the IDF has targeted Hamas launch sites and facilities located in Gaza.
Government Response
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has visited forces stationed at the IDF-Israel-Lebanon border to address the backup crew there. He says, though this year Israel suffered a setback, things have changed much since then. He tells them Hamas and Hezbollah will not be able to defeat them.
