Israel hit by massive Hezbollah shelling, fires erupt
Photo: the consequences of shelling Israel on September 22 (timesofisrael.com / Magen David Adom)
Northern regions of Israel were attacked from Lebanon this morning, September 22. Several aerial targets were intercepted by air defense systems, but fires broke out following the fall of some projectiles, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Reuters.
In a statement from the Israeli military, it was noted that sirens warning of enemy attacks sounded between 6:24 and 6:32 a.m. and again between 6:52 and 7:00 a.m. local time "in numerous areas in northern Israel."
The IDF reported that approximately 85 projectiles were detected crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory.
"Some of the projectiles were intercepted, and fallen projectiles were identified in the areas of Kiryat Bialik, Tsur Shalom, and Moreshet," the Israeli military stated.
Firefighters and rescue services are working at the sites of multiple fires in the affected areas.
Additionally, the IDF reported that by early morning, about 20 more projectiles had been detected in the Jezreel Valley area, having crossed from Lebanon. The military added that most were intercepted by air defense systems, while the remaining ones "fell in open areas." No reports of casualties have been received.
Additionally, footage of the fires in Israel caused by today's shelling has been shared online.
OVERNIGHT: Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets into northern Israel pic.twitter.com/sfNJQmlqPO
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) September 22, 2024
OVERNIGHT: Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets into northern Israel pic.twitter.com/sfNJQmlqPO
— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) September 22, 2024
It is worth noting that, according to the emergency medical service, three people sustained shrapnel injuries as a result of a rocket falling in Kiryat Bialik, near Haifa, reports the *Times of Israel*.
Among the injured are a 70-year-old man in moderate condition, another 70-year-old man, and a 16-year-old girl, both with minor injuries. They were transported to a hospital in Haifa.
Hezbollah claims responsibility for the attack
Meanwhile, according to Reuters, the radical group Hezbollah, operating in Lebanon, has claimed responsibility for the shelling. The militants wrote on their Telegram channel that they targeted an Israeli military-industrial complex in the city of Haifa.
The group also stated that the shelling was a "response" to a recent series of pager and communication device explosions.
According to the Times of Israel, Hezbollah also claimed to have targeted a facility of the defense firm Rafael, located in the Haifa area, more than 15 kilometers west of Moreshet.
Background
Earlier reports indicated that on September 21, Israel attacked Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, prompting militants to retaliate by launching rockets at Israel. According to the IDF, about 25 rockets were fired by the terrorists.
On the night of September 22, Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari reported that the IDF had struck Hezbollah military installations in southern Lebanon, destroying thousands of the group's launchers intended for attacks on Israeli territory.
Later, the IDF clarified that, throughout the day on September 21, they had targeted approximately 290 sites, including thousands of rocket launcher barrels and additional terrorist infrastructure.
It is also worth recalling that on September 17 and 18, hundreds of pagers, phones, gadgets, and other devices belonging to Hezbollah-affiliated individuals exploded in Lebanon. According to media reports, the explosives were planted by operatives of Israel's intelligence agency Mossad.
