Hezbollah terrorists launched more than 250 rockets and drones into northern and central Israel today, in a series of massive aerial attacks against the Jewish state.
Air raid sirens blared throughout the day across northern Israel and cities near Tel Aviv, including in Netanya and Herzliya. Israel's missile defense systems intercepted dozens of incoming projectiles across the country. The picture below shows Iron Dome operating over Haifa tonight, saving countless lives.
While many of Hezbollah's rockets and drones were successfully shot down, residential and commercial buildings across northern and central Israel sustained heavy damage. The photo below shows a building in Haifa that was destroyed in the attacks.
Several homes on a moshav in central Israel were also damaged by the rocket fire. The owners of one of the homes happened to be out of their house at the time, on a visit to witness Kibbutz Kfar Aza. The elderly couple did not have a reinforced area in their home, and would not have been able to take shelter had they been there during the attacks.
In response to Hezbollah's relentless attacks, the IDF carried out strikes on the terror group's infrastructure across southern Lebanon.
Israeli strikes destroyed the rocket launchers used in attacks earlier in the day, and targeted 12 Hezbollah command centers near Beirut that were used to smuggle weapons from Iran through Syria and Lebanon. "These command centers were used to plan, command, and execute terrorist attacks against Israel and monitor terrorist activity against IDF troops operating in southern Lebanon," the IDF said.
Israeli troops continue to operate against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, destroying the terror group's tunnels and confiscating weapons and ammunition that were ready to be used to invade Israeli communities and massacre civilians. This video shows a trove of rocket launchers, grenades, and guns seized by the IDF this weekend.
As Israel continues to battle Iran-backed terrorists on multiple fronts, CENTCOM commander General Michael Kurilla is in Israel meeting with top IDF leadership to strengthen U.S.-Israel security cooperation.
Reports: Framework agreement for Israel-Lebanon ceasefire
According to reports tonight, the Israeli cabinet will soon meet to review the terms of a framework agreement to end the war in the north.
The draft ceasefire agreement reportedly includes a 60-day period during which the Israeli military would withdraw from southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army would deploy in areas near the border and Hezbollah would move its heavy weapons north of the Litani River.
According to Axios' Barak Ravid, the draft agreement includes a U.S.-led oversight committee to monitor implementation and address violations.
The U.S. has reportedly agreed to provide Israel with a letter of assurances that includes support for Israeli military action against imminent threats from Lebanese territory, and for action to disrupt the reestablishment of a Hezbollah military presence near the border. Read more here.
UAE authorities arrest three suspects in murder of Israeli Rabbi Zvi Kogan
Emirati authorities arrested three people suspected of abducting and murdering 28-year-old Israeli Rabbi Zvi Kogan in the UAE. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called his murder "a heinous antisemitic terrorist act" and said "none of [the killers] will be spared."
Israeli officials suspect that the attackers were recruited by Iran.
Kogan's body was found early this morning more than 90 miles away from Abu Dhabi, where he served as an emissary for Chabad. Kogan had been missing since Thursday.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said, "Israel will not rest nor be silent until those responsible for this criminal act pay for their actions."
A dual Israeli-Moldovan citizen, Kogan worked to establish and expand Jewish life in the Emirates following the Abraham Accords. In 2021, Kogan participated in the first-ever Holocaust remembrance day ceremony in the Gulf state. May his memory be a blessing.
WATCH: Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery on the Houthi threat to Americans and Israelis
Iran-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen are escalating their attacks against American troops and Israelis, most recently in a highly sophisticated drone and missile strike on two U.S. Navy ships.
Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joined AIPAC to discuss the threat and how Iran is arming and equipping its terrorist proxy.
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
AIPAC 251 H St. NW • Washington D.C. 20001 • TEL 202-639-5200
