Catch up: Israel’s war with Hezbollah, Hamas and Iran

Published: 10 October 2024

Last updated: 10 October 2024

Israel continues to face a multi-front war with heavy fighting on the Lebanese border and in Gaza, and retaliation is expected after a missile attack from Iran on central Israel last week.

On the Lebanese border

Hezbollah is continuing to fire heavy barrages of rockets into Israel. Two Israelis were killed in the northern town of Kiryat Shmona and six were injured by rocket debris in Haifa.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appealed directly to the people of Lebanon in a video published on Tuesday, telling them to turn against the Iran-backed Shia group Hezbollah or risk destruction on the scale of Gaza. The Israeli military said it deployed a fourth division in southern Lebanon and that operations have expanded to the west, but its focus still appears to be a narrow strip along the border.
A Hezbollah leader has endorsed the possibility of a ceasefire for the first time. Deputy Secretary General Naim Qassem said Hezbollah supports the political efforts led by Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to achieve a ceasefire. Qassem has been nicknamed “the last survivor” as Israel is believed to have killed other possible successors to assassinated leader Nasrallah. Hezbollah has still not announced a successor to Nasrallah.

Against Iran

Following Iran’s missile attack on Israel last week, Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has warned Israel will retaliate with a “deadly, pinpoint accurate, and most importantly, surprising” attack on Iran. Nuclear and oil installations have been suggested as likely targets for an Israeli response.
US President Joe Biden spoke with Netanyahu on Wednesday expressing concerns that a heavy Israeli response will aggravate regional war.

In Gaza

Israel’s military says it has encircled Jabalya, northern Gaza and launched a new ground operation, after seeing signs of Hamas rebuilding. CNN reported cases of Palestinians being shot at as they evacuated the area.
Hamas released an October 7 anniversary message “justifying” its attack and calling on West Bank Palestinians to join their fight.
The White House says October 7 architect Yahya Sinwar is alive and remains the Hamas decision-maker.

Inside Israel

A terror attack on the central Israeli City of Hadera has left seven Israelis injured, one critically. Police said the offender was a resident of the Israeli-Arab city of Umm al-Fahm.

RELATED ANALYSIS

Now or never? Why Israel's retaliation strike against Iran may include nuclear and oil targets (Alon Pinkas, Haaretz)
The United States is likely pressuring Israel to strike only Iranian military and Revolutionary Guards targets in response to last week's ballistic missile attack, but that may not sway Benjamin Netanyahu from trying to hit Iran's nuclear facilities.

An Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear sites would push Tehran to assemble a bomb (Avner Cohen, Haaretz)
The Iranians have declared that if Israel attacks the sites they will abandon the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and become a nuclear state. I suggest that we not take their declarations lightly.

Cease-fire call from Nasrallah’s deputy signals possible turning point for Lebanon (Avi Issacharoff, Ynet)
Many Lebanese would welcome the removal of Iran's influence from their country, and Hezbollah's current weakened state presents a rare opportunity for leadership free from its grip—potentially preventing the group's resurgence.

Hamas' October 7 anniversary message shows Israeli hostages are its final leverage (Haaretz)
Hamas' calls for the West Bank to join the fight and promises of a prolonged war are disconnected from reality. While they seek to pressure Israel into a hostage deal, Netanyahu and his government remain focused on other fronts.

Two Israelis killed in Hezbollah rocket barrage on northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona (Haaretz)

Hezbollah endorses Lebanon ceasefire efforts for the first time as Israel ramps up offensive (CNN)

Gallant: Iran's attack was aggressive; our response will be a deadly surprise (Jerusalem Post)

Biden, Harris speak to Netanyahu about Israel's retaliation against Iran (Axios)

Netanyahu's appeal to Lebanese people falls on deaf ears in Beirut (BBC)

Israeli military encircles northern Gaza refugee camp after saying it sees signs of Hamas regrouping (CNN)

White House says Sinwar remains Hamas decision maker, alive in Gaza (Jerusalem Post)

Palestinians evacuating northern Gaza say they are being shot at by Israeli military (CNN)

Seven wounded in stabbing rampage in central Israeli city of Hadera (Haaretz)