Hezbollah claims it fired advanced Iranian Falaq-2 rockets at Israeli military base

The terrorist organization Hezbollah claimed it fired advanced Iranian-manufactured Falaq-2 rockets at an Israeli military base in Beit Hillel in northern Israel on Saturday.

It is reportedly the first time Hezbollah forces in Lebanon used such a rocket against Israel. Falaq-2 has a range of 11 kilometers (about 7 miles) and carries a 60 kg (about 130-lb) warhead, which makes it an ideal offensive weapon for short-range border attacks.

The Falaq-2 is an upgrade from its predecessor Falaq-1, a rocket with a 50 kg (110-lb) warhead, which Hezbollah began using six months ago.

The introduction of the Falaq-2 rocket in the conflict is viewed as an escalation in the fire exchange between Israeli forces and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia.

Hezbollah reportedly claimed it was “forced” to escalate its rocket response due to alleged violations of the tacit confrontation rules by the Israeli military.

The Lebanese-based terror group began launching its attacks against northern Israeli communities just one day after Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel and massacred over 1,200 men, women and children.

Last week, an IDF reservist soldier, Staff Sgt. (res.) Refael Kauders was killed in a Hezbollah drone attack on the northern Israeli town of Hurfeish. Ten IDF soldiers were injured in the attack.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog urged the international community to condemn the cross-border terrorism from Lebanon against Israel.

“I turn from here to the international community and its leaders and emphasize – it is impossible to remain indifferent to this terrorism, from Lebanon and in general, Herzog stated.

“Israel has been attacked daily, for many months, by Iran’s arms in Lebanon, in flagrant violation of all international agreements and resolutions. The world needs to wake up and realize that Israel has no choice but to protect its citizens and don’t be surprised when it does so ever more strongly and firmly, and don’t complain when the situation is out of control,” Herzog warned. “This is not the time to stand by and let the arena escalate. This evil terrorist aggression must be curbed and stopped.”

Hezbollah has both intensified its attacks and increased its range. A drone recently hit an open area in Jezreel Valley close to Nazareth, located about 24 miles from the border between Israel and Lebanon. While unsuccessful, the Hezbollah attack marked the deepest penetration of Israeli territory since the ongoing Hezbollah aggression began on Oct. 8.

Hezbollah Deputy Sec.-Gen. Naim Qassem reportedly said its forces are not interested in expanding the conflict unless Israel increases its responses.

The ongoing Hezbollah attacks have forced tens of thousands of Israeli civilians to evacuate their homes. Israeli military and political leaders increasingly recognize that the current Hezbollah threat is untenable.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi recently warned: “We are approaching the point where a decision will have to be made, and the IDF is prepared and very ready for this decision.”

The U.S. and France have tried to find a diplomatic solution to the Hezbollah crisis. Israel indicated it prefers a diplomatic solution but warned that it was prepared to use military force to address the Hezbollah threat from its northern border.

The Biden administration recently warned that a “limited war” with Hezbollah in Lebanon could potentially unleash a wider Iranian response and is reportedly concerned that pro-Iranian terrorists from Syria, Iraq and Yemen would join Hezbollah forces against Israel.