By Yusuf Alioglu
ISTANBUL (AA) - Hezbollah said Wednesday that it launched rocket attacks against 20 gatherings of Israeli soldiers in northern Israel and southern Lebanon, as well as strikes on Nahariya and three military bases near Haifa and on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.
The group said in statements that it fired rocket salvos at seven gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the settlements of Misgav Am and Margaliot in northern Israel, as well as at military positions in Marj and Misgav Am, between Al-Samaqa and Ruwaisat Al-Alam, and near the Ruwaisat Al-Alam position.
It also said it targeted 13 Israeli forces’ positions in southern Lebanon, including near the towns of Odaisseh, Houla, Ramyah, Rab El Thalathine and Taybeh, as well as areas between Odaisseh and Rab El Thalathine, and between Blat Heights and Marwahin.
Other strikes occurred near the intersection of Rab El Thalathine, Odaisseh, and Markaba, including three soldier gatherings between Odaisseh and Rab El Thalathine.
- Strikes on 3 Israeli military bases
Hezbollah said it fired a large salvo of rockets at the city of Nahariya in northern Israel’s Western Galilee.
Additionally, the group said it targeted three military bases -- the Tirat Carmel base south of Haifa using a swarm of drones; the Zevulun military industries base north of Haifa with a barrage of rockets and the Glilot base, home to Israel's Unit 8200 military intelligence, located on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.
Hezbollah did not disclose the type of rockets used in the Tel Aviv attack.
The Israeli military, meanwhile, reported that 130 rockets had been launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel since early Wednesday, including 10 in the last hour at the Upper Galilee region.
Israel’s Home Front Command issued a statement that said sirens were activated in the northern settlements of Kiryat Shmona, Kfar Giladi, Shtula, Misgav Am and Tel Hai located in the northernmost region of the Upper Galilee.
Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon since last month against what it claims are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip.
At least 2,546 people have been killed and more than 11,860 injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.
Israel expanded the conflict this year by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.
*Writing by Mohammad Sio