Beirut, Lebanon – Tensions are escalating between Israel and Hezbollah as the Lebanese militant group released a 9-minute drone footage showing Israeli military and civilian locations in multiple Israeli cities. In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz warned Hezbollah of the possibility of an “all-out war,” threatening the destruction of Hezbollah and severe consequences for Lebanon.
The drone video, allegedly filmed in the daytime, revealed various sensitive areas, including residential cities near Haifa, Israeli military complexes, and the port of Haifa. This release follows months of heightened cross-border attacks after the October 7 Hamas attacks and subsequent Israeli military operations in Gaza.
Hezbollah’s actions have prompted concerns from the US and its allies, as the Iran-backed group possesses a powerful paramilitary force in the Middle East. Despite warnings, tensions have continued to rise in recent weeks, with CNN analysis pinpointing multiple locations around Haifa featured in the video.
Weapons expert Wim Zwijnenburg identified the drone in the footage as an Iranian-origin model of a Qasaf-2k, possibly produced locally, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. The mayor of Haifa, Yona Yahav, condemned the video as “psychological terror,” urging a defense plan for the city and criticizing IDF commanders for their absence since the Hamas attack.
Israel has been preparing for potential hostilities, with approved operational plans for an offensive in Lebanon and heightened troop readiness. While the approval of these plans does not guarantee an imminent war, it underscores Israel’s readiness for any scenario. Despite efforts to reduce tensions, Hezbollah’s continued attacks on northern Israel and demands for Israel to stop the war in Gaza have escalated the situation.
As the region faces the specter of a wider conflict, diplomatic efforts are underway to find a solution. Special envoy Amos Hochstein has been dispatched by the US to Israel and Lebanon in an attempt to ease tensions and prevent further escalation. The looming threat of an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah casts a shadow over the region, with potential repercussions extending well beyond the borders of the two countries.