Netanyahu rushed to shelter after missiles reach Keisarya residence

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
4 Oct 2024 15:49
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The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon expanded the circumference of its operations to include new settlements, among which was occupied Qisarya where Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu resides.

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Israel occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu listens to audience applause after his address to the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Friday, September 27, 2024. (AP)

Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was hurried to a shelter after sirens sounded in Keisarya following the launch of a barrage of missiles by the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon as they expanded their operations circumference targeting new Israeli settlements.

According to Walla, an Israeli news website that reported on the incident, Netanyahu was at his residence in occupied Qisarya when the sirens sounded, prompting him to seek shelter.

This development comes as Hezbollah increases its firepower against Israeli military bases in northern occupied Palestine, continuing its targeted operations against the Israeli occupation and responding to incursions in the south. This is done in support of Gaza and its Resistance, as well as in defense of Lebanon and its people against the brutal Israeli occupation's aggression on cities, villages, and civilians.

Since early morning, alarm sirens have been heard in settlements such as Merchavim, Misgav Am, Hanita, Haifa, Krayot, Akka, Nahariya, and the Beit She'an Valley, coinciding with the launch of rocket barrages from Lebanon. Israeli media described the situation as chaotic in the skies over Haifa and Krayot.

Additionally, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu and several ministers sought refuge during the Iranian response against "Israel" in a fortified underground location in al-Quds, while Israeli occupation Security Minister Yoav Gallant took cover in an underground facility at the Ministry of Security in Tel Aviv.

The expansion of operations by Hezbollah comes in response to the Israeli occupation's escalation in Lebanon.

Israeli incursion into South Lebanon 'not a stroll in the park': NYT

The Israeli military has repeatedly claimed that its ground incursion into South Lebanon will be "limited, localized and targeted'' against Hezbollah, but the recent announcement of the deployment of a fifth division of soldiers to the border area with Lebanon suggests that "Israel" is preparing for a long and difficult battle against a well-armed and advanced force, The New York Times reported, citing experts.

“This is not a stroll in the park,” said retired Israeli colonel Miri Eisin, pointing out that "this is going to be hard, just like it was hard against Hamas," referring to the Israeli ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.

The newspaper noted that the Israeli military has not disclosed the number of troops sent to take part in the offensive against Lebanon, citing security reasons.

Typically, according to Eisin, three divisions are stationed in northern occupied Palestine, and two additional divisions that fought in Gaza over the past year have recently joined them.

The retired Israeli colonel noted that the area in South Lebanon where Israeli forces are deployed is much larger than Gaza and the rugged terrain is more difficult to navigate, adding further complications.

Moreover, the NYT suggested that "Hezbollah fighters are better armed and trained than Hamas, which will make for a far more difficult fight."

It recalled that the Israeli military confirmed that eight of its soldiers had been killed in the first day and a half of battles in Lebanon, a relatively high toll compared to daily casualties during the war on Gaza.

The toll followed a tightly coordinated ambush by the Resistance, involving elite soldiers who attempted to infiltrate the town of Odeisseh from the direction of Khallet al-Mahafer. The ambush came after the Resistance had detected Israeli recon troop movement on Tuesday morning.

This marked the first attempt by Israeli forces to infiltrate South Lebanon since the Israeli military announced the commencement of a ground incursion in the area overnight Monday.

"And then there is the terrain: high hills and steep gullies that tax an infantry force far more quickly than the comparatively flat land of Gaza," the newspaper concluded.