Israel on high alert for attacks ahead of Oct 7 anniversary

Smoke rises from a building hit by an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, on October 5, 2024. – AFP

The Israeli military on Saturday said its forces were on high alert ahead of the October 7 anniversary, saying militants were seeking to attack “the home front”.

“This week we will mark the anniversary of the war and October 7. We are prepared with increased forces in anticipation for this day. They will try to carry out attacks on the home front,” said military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari at a televised briefing.

The IDF said on Saturday that its forces had killed more than 400 Hezbollah fighters since Israel launched ground operations inside southern Lebanon on Monday.

“Since the beginning of the (ground) manoeuvre, forces have eliminated some 440 terrorists from the ground and from the air, including 30 commanders of various ranks,” military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a televised briefing.

Thousands of people in Lebanon, including Palestinian refugees, continued to flee the widening conflict in the region, while rallies were held around the world marking the approaching anniversary of the start of the war in Gaza.

Israel’s attack on the northern Beddawi camp killed an official with Hamas’ military wing along with his wife and two young daughters, the Palestinian militant group said. Hamas later said another military wing member was killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley. Residents confronted the aftermath: smashed buildings, scattered bricks and stairways to nowhere.

Israel’s military said it killed two senior officials with Hamas’ military wing in Lebanon, where fighting has sharply escalated. Israel has killed several Hamas officials there since the Israel-Hamas war began , in addition to most of the top leadership of the Lebanon-based Hezbollah.

At least 1,400 Lebanese, including civilians, medics and Hezbollah fighters, have been killed and 1.2 million driven from their homes in less than two weeks.

Plumes of smoke dominated the skyline over Beirut’s densely populated southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a strong presence. Israel says it is targeting Hezbollah commanders and military equipment and aims to drive the militant group away from shared borders so displaced Israelis can return to their homes.

Iranian-backed Hezbollah, the strongest armed force in Lebanon, began firing rockets into Israel almost immediately after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, calling it a show of support for the Palestinians. Hezbollah and Israel’s military have traded fire almost daily.

With inputs from agencies.