30 rockets rain on Upper Galilee overnight as Israel awaits large-scale Hezbollah & Iranian assault

Israel braces for retaliation for death of Hamas leader Haniyeh

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Thirty rockets were launched toward Kiryat Shmona during the night, Israel Defense Forces stated on Sunday morning, as Israel continues to wait for a possible large-scale attack by Hezbollah and the Iranian regime in retaliation for the killing of two high-level terrorists last week.

Israel claimed responsibility for an airstrike that killed Hezbollah’s military chief Fuad Shukr in the terror group's stronghold Dahieh in Beirut, Lebanon but did not comment on the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last Wednesday.

Thank God for Israel’s missile defense systems, especially tonight. But, Christians, please do not stop praying. pic.twitter.com/0LPG8oMNo0
— Joel C. Rosenberg (@JoelCRosenberg) August 3, 2024

Both assassinations are perceived as deep humiliations for Hezbollah and the Iranian regime, breaching their declared "red lines" by striking at the heart of their capitals. Both entities have promised severe retaliation, which has yet to materialize.

In the meantime, Hezbollah resumed sporadic attacks on northern Israel, while the IDF has carried out several targeted strikes, seemingly aimed at improving its position and weakening Hezbollah ahead of an expected large-scale attack.

The 30-rocket barrage toward Kiryat Shmona was largely intercepted by Israeli aerial defenses. One rocket exploded near Beit Hillel, causing a fire but no significant damage.

בהמשך להתרעות שהופעלו במרחב הגליל העליון במהלך הלילה, זוהו כ-30 שיגורים שחצו מלבנון. רובם יורטו על ידי לוחמי ההגנה האווירית. זוהתה נפילה במרחב בית הלל, ומספר שיגורים נפלו בשטחים פתוחים. אין נפגעים>> pic.twitter.com/WO2cpNjRkW
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) August 4, 2024

In return, the IDF targeted the launcher used for the attack in the area of of Marjayoun, and attacked another concrete threat near al-Adaisa with artillery.

The day before, the IDF had carried out strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure and targeted operatives in several areas across southern Lebanon, after Hezbollah targeted the area of Avivim and Sha’ar Yeshuv with rocket fire.

מטוסי קרב תקפו משעות הלילה תשתיות טרור ומבנים צבאיים של חיזבאללה במרחבים טיר חרפא וכפר כילא שבדרום לבנון.

בנוסף, צה"ל תקף בירי טנקים תשתית טרור אשר שימשה את הארגון במרחב רב א-תלתין שבדרום לבנון>> pic.twitter.com/ie7lZhFarP
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) August 3, 2024

On Saturday morning, the IDF announced it had eliminated Ali Naziah Abd-Ali, a key operative on Hezbollah’s southern front, in the area of Bazourieh, near the city of Tyre.

“His elimination means significant damage to the functioning of the Southern Front and the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the region,” the IDF stated.

Ali Nazia Abad Ali, born in 1984, originally from the town of Aytit, a senior Hezbollah operative on the southern front was eliminated today (August 3) by Israel. Under the southern front are the central geographical units of Nasr and Aziz. The killing was carried out in the area… pic.twitter.com/rZGiofBhoX
— Israel-Alma (@Israel_Alma_org) August 3, 2024

Lebanese and Syrian reports also suggested the IDF had struck several targets in the Syrian-Lebanese border area over the few days, possibly as a measure to interrupt Hezbollah’s supply lines and weaken it before it can strike Israel.

On Friday, “Three Israeli strikes targeted a convoy of tanker trucks on the Syrian-Lebanese border in the Hawsh al-Sayyid Ali area, injuring one Syrian driver,” a source told the French AFP outlet.

Just hours earlier, Lebanese media reported an alleged Israeli strike in the same region, near the Lebanese village of Qasr. Separate reports later stated it was targeting Al-Dabaa International Airport in Syria.