In recent days, Hezbollah has intensified its rocket fire, extending its range and targeting previously unaffected communities in retaliation to IDF actions. At least 16 attacks have been carried out, significantly expanding the radius of besieged areas in northern Israel.

Residents of eight kibbutzim near the border were instructed for the first time to stay close to protected areas due to ongoing IDF operations in Lebanon. These communities, including Kfar Szold, Shamir, Amir, Sde Nehemia, Kfar Blum, Neot Mordechai, Lehavot Habashan, and Gonen, were considered to be under a "normal routine" until now. However, they have recently become part of Hezbollah's "legitimate target pool."

Furthermore, Hezbollah launched rockets and drones at additional targets in the western Galilee, including Moshav Tzuriel, which sustained direct hits. The Alma Research and Education Center, which focuses on Israel's northern security challenges, reported a worrying trend of Hezbollah expanding its rocket fire to a range of over 3 miles in the past week, specifically targeting non-evacuated communities.

While Hezbollah previously refrained from claiming responsibility for firing at these communities, a recent threat made by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah changed this approach. Nasrallah's threat prompted the Iran-backed group to openly acknowledge attacking these communities and referred to it as "the first time" they had done so.

According to the Alma researchers, between July 16 and July 22, Hezbollah attacked areas over 3 miles from the border 16 times. Eleven of these attacks targeted non-evacuated civilian communities, while five targeted military bases. Tal Be'eri, head of the research department at Alma, believes that Hezbollah is taking a calculated risk, hoping that increasing the range of their attacks will not provoke a harsher Israeli response. However, Be'eri also warns of the potential of a rocket causing severe damage in Israel, such as striking a kindergarten or a densely populated area, which could result in an intensified retaliatory campaign by Israel.

The recent escalation in Hezbollah's attacks follows an incident in which the terrorist organization claimed that five Syrian refugees, including three children and two Lebanese civilians, were killed by Israeli strikes. In response, Hezbollah launched a massive rocket barrage at Kiryat Shmona and other communities located more than 3 miles from the border, which had not been evacuated.

Hezbollah researcher Dana Polak warns that Nasrallah's threat signified a new equation from their perspective, indicating that if harm is inflicted on civilians in Lebanon, then Hezbollah will target new communities that were previously unaffected. Polak also highlights Hezbollah's practice of integrating military infrastructure into civilian areas throughout southern Lebanon, using civilians as human shields.

The escalating situation raises concerns about the potential for further civilian casualties and property damage. As Hezbollah expands its rocket attacks, the focus remains on how Israel will respond to these latest provocations by the Iran-backed militant group.