Israeli defence system fails as Hezbollah attack kills 4 soldiers, injures 61 civilians

A Hezbollah drone attack on an Israeli military base near Binyamina city in central Israel has killed four soldiers and wounded seven others, along with injuring 61 civilians—a rarity given the presence of advanced air defence systems.

Taking responsibility for the deadliest attack since Israel initiated its ground invasion of Lebanon nearly two weeks ago, Hezbollah described the attack as retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on Beirut, which killed 22 civilians. The group launched dozens of drones and missiles during the operation, targeting Israel's elite Golani brigade and aiming to disable the country's air defence systems.

The escalation follows the announcement that the United States is sending a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) missile defence system to Israel, along with about 100 US troops. The move represents a significant increase in American military involvement in the region.

The last time such a missile defence system was deployed to the Middle East was in the aftermath of Hamas' attacks on Israel in October last year, though a Thaad battery had been stationed in southern Israel for drills in 2019.

President Joe Biden defended the deployment, stating it was necessary to defend Israel, which is reportedly considering a retaliatory strike against Iran after Tehran launched over 180 missiles into Israeli territory earlier this month. Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder described the move as part of broader US military adjustments to safeguard both Israel and US personnel from Iranian-backed attacks in the region. However, no timeline has been provided for the system's deployment, and Israel has yet to confirm its arrival.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that the deployment of US troops and missile systems in Israel puts American forces at risk. He emphasized that while Iran has made efforts to avoid an all-out war, it remains prepared to defend its interests.

Hezbollah, in a statement released on Monday, threatened further attacks on Israel if its military actions in Lebanon continue. The group claimed to have launched numerous missiles at Israeli defence systems to divert attention during the drone assault, which resulted in significant casualties.

In Lebanon, the situation continues to deteriorate, with the United Nations condemning Israeli military actions that have injured peacekeepers. The UN’s peacekeeping mission, Unifil, reported Israeli tanks damaging a gate and entering a base in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials, meanwhile, expressed frustration with the UN mission, calling for the withdrawal of Unifil troops from Hezbollah-controlled areas.

In Gaza, Israeli tank shelling has killed at least 20 people, including children, in an attack on a school that was sheltering displaced Palestinians. This incident adds to the mounting casualties in the ongoing conflict in the region. The situation remains tense, with more explosions reported in Gaza overnight, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.