IDF steps up strikes on Hezbollah

The IDF has increased the intensity and scope of its attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon and plans to respond harshly to the Iran’s terrorist proxy’s recent heavy barrages on northern Israel.

Israel has started to transfer forces, resources and intelligence assets to the northern front following progress against the Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip.

The possible movement of the main theater of war from Gaza to Lebanon was highlighted by separate visits on Wednesday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

During a visit to the Ramat David Airbase, 12 miles southeast of Haifa, Netanyahu said, “The Air Force is our iron fist which knows how to hit the soft underbelly of our enemies.”

Meanwhile, Gallant declared during a visit to the Gaza-Egypt border that the IDF has achieved victory over Hamas’s Rafah Brigade, which was the terrorist group’s final functioning brigade, according to Israel military assessments.

Hezbollah fired 180 rockets at northern Israel on Wednesday, directly hitting several houses in Katzrin on the Golan Heights and moderately wounding a man.

On Tuesday morning, the Shi’ite group launched a 55-rocket barrage at the Upper Galilee and Golan Heights, followed by a 20-rocket barrage in the afternoon.

Some 7,000 residents of Katzrin and about 2,000 residents in the northern Golan Heights have been instructed to stay close to safe zones for long hours over the past two days.

The Hezbollah attacks came after Israel struck terrorist targets deep inside Lebanon, striking several Hezbollah weapons storage facilities in the Beqaa Valley on Monday and overnight Tuesday.

Overnight Wednesday, the IAF struck Hezbollah terrorist targets in more than 10 areas in Southern Lebanon, including weapons storage facilities, military structures and a launcher used to attack Israel.