Southern, northern Israeli settlements under rocket, drone attacks
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Israeli media report on an explosion in Yavne, near Ashdod south of Tel Aviv, with columns of smoke rising, while 15 explosions were heard in the Kiryat area, northeast of Haifa.
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Smoke rises after a drone explosion in Yavne, near Ashdod, south of Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, on November 17, 2024 (Social media)
Israeli media reported that columns of smoke rose in the settlement of Yavne, near Ashdod, after a drone exploded within the occupied Palestinian territories, with later reports indicating the drone had originated from Iraq.
Similarly, but on another front, Israeli media reported hearing 15 explosions in the Kiryat area, northeast of Haifa, after sirens sounded in Akka and Kiryat following a rocket barrage launched from southern Lebanon.
Footage documents the impact of a Resistance drone near Rehovot, north of occupied Ashdod.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 17, 2024
It is yet to be determined where the drone came from. pic.twitter.com/vdmrGWKeBh
Additionally, explosions were heard over Haifa Bay as attempts to intercept rockets took place. It was also reported that a rocket fell in kibbutz Kfar Masaryk, south of Akka.
Israeli media published scenes of fires in Israeli-occupied Akka caused by the rocket rocket barrage from Lebanon.
Sirens were also heard in the southern suburbs of Tel Aviv, northern Ashdod, Heshfela, Ness Ziona, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Ovad south of Rishon Lezion due to the drone breach.
Sirens were also activated in Lahish, Yavne, and Kfar Hanjid.
In turn, Lilach Shoval, the military affairs correspondent for Israel Hayom, stated that Israeli settlers of Haifa have become over the past few weeks "accustomed to one or two rocket barrages," stressing that this has "turned into a routine of rockets, and just yesterday, we’re talking about around 80 rockets and several drones launched toward northern Israel."
According to Shoval, "This is a reality that cannot continue for long; it’s simply unbearable."
Rockets rain on Haifa, cause widespread damage and casualties
A rocket attack launched from Lebanon on Saturday caused significant damage and destruction in occupied Haifa, including power outages impacting several parts of the area.
A number of rockets made impact in Haifa, amid the blaring of warning sirens in the city and its surroundings, particularly in Krayot. Several casualties were recorded in the aftermath, along with damage to buildings and vehicles in Karmiel.
The mayor of Haifa, Yona Yahav, said that the city has become a focal target for Hezbollah, which is "not sparing them [settlers]", in light of the attack.
He further stressed that Haifa is the third largest city in occupied Palestine, and serves as a hub for an abundance of institutions and establishments, but remains under Hezbollah fire.
It is worth noting that Hezbollah had announced seven operations, five of which were coordinated and simultaneous, using an assortment of assault drones and advanced rockets launched at multiple bases in occupied Haifa.
Among the bases were the Shayetet 13 naval commando headquarters in Atlit, south of Haifa, which was struck with a squadron of one-way drones, the Stella Maris Naval Base, which was targeted twice, the Haifa Technical and Naval Bases, the Tirat Carmel Base, and for the first time, the Nesher fuel Base.
All of the targeted bases are located between 35-40 km from the Palestinian-Lebanese border.
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