Beirut - In a significant escalation of tensions, the militant group Hezbollah has launched more than 50 rockets at military posts in northern Israel. This attack comes just one day after an Israeli airstrike on a home in southern Lebanon resulted in the death of five senior Hezbollah fighters.

The barrage of rockets unleashed by Hezbollah marks one of the most intense bombardments since the group began targeting Israeli posts at the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict. Hezbollah has justified its actions by claiming to relieve pressure on the Gaza Strip, which has been heavily impacted by Israel's extensive aerial, ground, and naval offensive, causing widespread destruction and leaving over 13,300 Palestinians dead.

The ongoing war in Gaza was triggered by an attack by Hamas on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in a significant loss of life and the capture of approximately 240 hostages taken to Gaza. However, a four-day ceasefire agreement, along with the release of hostages held by militants and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, was set to take effect on Thursday.

Hezbollah's attacks on Thursday included the firing of 48 Katyusha rockets aimed at an Israeli army base in Beit Zeitem, located approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of the border. The group also claimed to have targeted four Israeli soldiers who were positioned inside a house in the Manara Kibbutz, using an anti-tank missile that destroyed the house and resulted in the death of the soldiers. The Israeli military has not commented on these claims.

Remarkably, Hezbollah released at least 21 statements in a single day, showcasing the highest number of attacks claimed since the conflict began. The group also highlighted successful strikes on Israeli tanks, indicating its growing capabilities on the battleground.

These intense and sustained attacks follow the Israeli airstrike on a house in Beit Yahoun, a village in southern Lebanon, which killed five senior Hezbollah fighters, including Abbas Raad, the son of Mohammed Raad, the head of Hezbollah's 13-member parliamentary bloc in Lebanon. With these casualties, the number of Hezbollah fighters killed during the seven-week conflict has now reached at least 83.

The funeral for Abbas Raad was attended by thousands of people, including senior Hezbollah officials, in the southern village of Jbaa. Speaking at the ceremony, top Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine delivered a strong message, stating that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agrees to a truce, it demonstrates that he is incapable of eradicating the resistance.

Against this backdrop, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah held a meeting in Beirut with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian to discuss the ongoing war in Gaza and efforts to halt Israeli aggression. Amirabdollahian, upon his arrival in Lebanon, expressed concerns that the Israel-Hamas conflict may spiral out of control if the ceasefire is not upheld.

While the focus remains on the Lebanon-Israel border, it is worth noting that Iran-backed factions, including Kataib Hezbollah, have carried out over 60 rocket and suicide drone attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria. Although Kataib Hezbollah and Lebanon's Hezbollah share an alliance, their leadership differs.

In a separate incident, the U.S. military announced that it had successfully shot down bomb-carrying drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The USS Thomas Hudner, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer deployed in the Red Sea, intercepted the drones early Thursday with no harm to the ship or crew.

The situation between Hezbollah and Israel remains precarious, with the region continuing to witness fierce exchanges and an uncertain future for both sides involved in the conflict.