Israel has begun attacking the Lebanese Beirut Suburbs following the launch of drones attacking Northern Israel, one of which was directed towards President Netanyahu’s holiday home. A representative for Netanyahu specified that one of the three drones that were launched hit Netanyahu’s residence on Saturday, October 19th. Netanyahu was not in this residence and no casualties occured. Though, this attack has raised concerns over Israeli security, as the rockets weren’t detected until 43 miles from the Lebanese Border, and the warning sirens in Israel did not activate until then. The other two rockets were intercepted, and Hezbollah has not asserted themselves as responsible for the drones directed at Caseara, (Netanyahu’s residence), but have claimed responsibility for the other attacks on Northern Israel. Netanyahu responded to the attack by saying that whoever carried out the attack had made “a bitter mistake”. In retaliation, or continuation, Israel sent an air strike on a Lebanese apartment building killing four and wounding at least 13. Israel claimed this was an attack on a Hezbollah target.
One of the strikes from Lebanon on Israel was targeted at Haifi, a strategic area and the country’s naval base. Following this specific attack, and the one on President Netanyahu’s residence, it is likely Lebanon will continue to target more military bases and important places in relation to Netanyahu. I expect Israel will continue to retaliate as it has done, by targeting concentrated areas. Should Lebanon prove successful in attacking a place of military operation in Israel, Israel will begin doing the same. As for the security concerns raised due to the lack of detection of the rockets from Lebanon, it is likely an influx of people in the targeted areas will begin to evacuate, if they have not already. Families of those serving on the military bases will flee, and the migration issues posed by this conflict will increase.
It is in Lebanon’s national interest for security to pose attacks on Israeli military bases. Since early October 2023, the death toll in Lebanon has risen to 2,448, compared to less than half the Israeli deaths at 1,139. Should the attacks from both states, on both states, continue, so will the death rate. Lebanon is losing people quickly and in order to falter the attacks from Israel they will attack important military points to prevent more deaths of the Lebanese and create a more secure environment for their people.