In the fourth week of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, both sides have exhibited a notable shift in tactics and targets. Rockets from south Lebanon are penetrating deeper into northern Israeli territories, striking not just military positions but also Israeli settlements. In retaliation, Israel has launched strikes further into Lebanon.
In a significant development, Hezbollah claims to have shot down an Israeli drone using a surface-to-air missile for the first time, signalling the potential deployment of advanced weaponry. UNIFIL bases in southern Lebanon have also come under rocket fire, injuring a peacekeeper.
The current casualty count stands at 49 for Hezbollah militants and 8 for Israeli soldiers. With tensions running high, both sides are reinforcing their positions: Israel is increasing its tank presence along the border, while Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is set to outline the group's next steps in a speech this Friday.
Hezbollah has significantly bolstered its arsenal over the years, and current estimates suggest the group possesses about 150,000 rockets and missiles. A considerable number of these rockets have the capability to reach targets hundreds of kilometres away from Lebanon.
