7 dead, several injured in Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel

New Delhi, Nov 01: Two Hezbollah rocket attacks killed seven Israelis in northern Israel, marking the deadliest escalation in months, according to Israeli authorities.

In the first attack, rockets struck farmland near Metula, a border town, killing an Israeli farmer and four foreign agricultural workers. Foreign Minister Israel Katz confirmed the incident, identifying the foreign casualties as Thai nationals.

The Israeli military later reported that an additional rocket attack near Kibbutz Afek, outside the coastal city of Haifa, claimed the lives of an Israeli woman, 60-year-old Mina Hasson, and her adult son, Karmi. These attacks come as the two countries’ conflict sees renewed military and diplomatic engagement, with discussions between U.S. envoys and Israeli officials focusing on potential ceasefire arrangements.

The escalation began as Hezbollah launched a series of rockets into the Krayot region, north of Haifa, and at Israeli forces stationed south of Khiam, a Lebanese town bordering Metula. The Israeli military intercepted several rockets while others landed in open areas. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attacks, citing an intensifying commitment to supporting Palestinian factions and resisting Israeli forces. Thursday’s attacks saw over 50 projectiles fired into Israel's Galilee region, where a heavy Israeli military response had already been underway.

Diplomatic Efforts as US Envoys Seek Ceasefire Talks

The intensifying border violence coincides with a diplomatic push led by U.S. envoys Amos Hochstein and Brett McGurk, who met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss ceasefire possibilities. Netanyahu emphasised the importance of “thwarting any threat” from Hezbollah. He insisted on measures that would enable residents of northern Israeli towns to return safely to their homes.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken commented on Thursday that “good progress” had been made in advancing discussions on mutual ceasefire requirements. Blinken highlighted the importance of clarity from both Lebanon and Israel regarding the conditions necessary for a sustainable resolution. However, with the U.S. election imminent, questions remain about the likelihood of a substantive breakthrough.

Civilian and Paramedic Casualties Escalate as Israeli Airstrikes Intensify in Lebanon

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have intensified throughout southern Lebanon, targeting what military officials described as Hezbollah strongholds. The Lebanese health ministry reported that six paramedics from Hezbollah-affiliated organisations were killed in Israeli strikes across several southern towns. These attacks have raised concerns over the safety of humanitarian workers amid the ongoing conflict.

Israeli forces have claimed Hezbollah has used ambulances to transport weapons and fighters, though the Islamic Health Society, associated with Hezbollah, denied these allegations. Additionally, a UN peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon housing Irish troops was reportedly struck by a rocket on Wednesday night. While no injuries were reported, the incident has drawn condemnation from Irish officials and increased calls for safeguarding peacekeepers under international law.

The border conflict, which began over a year ago, has displaced tens of thousands of Israeli and Lebanese residents. Israeli authorities report that over 60 Israelis have died due to Hezbollah's rocket, missile, and drone attacks. The Lebanese health ministry estimates that Israeli airstrikes have killed over 2,200 people in Lebanon and displaced approximately 1.2 million residents, primarily from Shia-majority areas in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.

For Hezbollah, whose influence within Lebanon is significant and whose backing from Iran provides both financial and military support, this ongoing conflict with Israel poses considerable domestic and international pressures. Hezbollah has maintained that its rocket fire will not cease until a truce is established in Gaza.

However, Lebanon’s fragile economic state and the burden of displacement have intensified calls for a political solution to prevent further devastation.