IDF Chief Acknowledges Long Path to Calm After Deadly Hezbollah Attack on Northern Communities

By Yoni Weiss

Meeting with mayors of northern Israeli communities on Wednesday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi stated that there is still a long way to go in restoring calm after a deadly rocket barrage by Hezbollah. The meeting followed an attack that resulted in the death of an Israeli woman, Hy”d, and injuries to eight others, leaving municipal leaders frustrated with what they perceived as insufficient military protection.

The mayor of Tzfas, Shuki Ohana, where the deadly rocket strike occurred, expressed concerns about the impact on the city, calling for urgent solutions and measures to address protection gaps in businesses and educational institutions. He urged the Prime Minister and ministers to visit and take action.

Amit Sofer, head of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, called on the government to escalate strikes on Hezbollah to implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, which restricts the Iran-backed group from operating in southern Lebanon.

Halevi assured the mayors that there have been significant achievements in hitting Hezbollah in Lebanon but emphasized that there is still a long way to go. He highlighted that Hezbollah is paying increasing prices for its rocket attacks, and the IDF will use all available tools and abilities if the conflict escalates. Halevi approved action plans in response to the morning’s deadly rocket attack.

Hezbollah targeted Tzfas, Kibbutz Manara, Moshav Netu’a, and a military base in northern Israel. A 20-year-old soldier, Sgt. Omer Sarah Benjo, Hy”d, was killed in Tzfas, and eight others were injured. Israeli fighter jets launched extensive airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in response.