Deadly rocket barrages from Lebanon kill 7 in northern Israel

CAIRO – 1 November 2024: In a tragic turn of events, rocket barrages originating from Lebanon struck northern Israel on Thursday, killing four foreign workers and three Israelis, marking the deadliest cross-border attacks since Israel's incursion into Lebanon.

The first barrage hit an agricultural area in Metula, Israel's northernmost town, resulting in the deaths of four Thai workers and an Israeli farmer, Associated Press reported, citing officials.

Shortly after, a subsequent volley of around 25 rockets from Lebanon targeted Haifa, a northern Israeli port city. This attack claimed the lives of a 30-year-old man and a 60-year-old woman, leaving two others wounded, according to Magen David Adom, Israel’s primary emergency medical organization.

While Hezbollah did not immediately claim responsibility for the rocket fire, Israel's military reported a total of 90 projectiles launched from Lebanon throughout the day.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah traces back to October 7, 2023, when Israel launched a relentless war in Gaza, killing tens of thousands of civilians over more than a year.

Metula, where the tragic incidents unfolded, had been evacuated in October 2023, with only security personnel and agricultural workers remaining in the area.

In response to the casualties, Thailand's Foreign Minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, revealed that in addition to the fatalities, another Thai worker had been injured during the attacks, urging all involved parties to prioritize peace for the sake of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

Criticism emerged from the Hotline for Refugees and Migrants in Israel, highlighting the dangers faced by foreign workers due to inadequate protection measures along the border.

The broader Israeli war against Hezbollah in Lebanon over the past year has resulted in a substantial toll, with 2,865 fatalities reported, over 13,000 individuals wounded, and severe devastation in Lebanese border towns.

Also, over 1.2 million people have been displaced across the country amid Israeli evacuation warnings.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli forces have killed 43,259 Palestinians, injured over 101,800 others, according to the health ministry in Gaza on Friday. The war also devastated critical infrastructure and pushed the enclave toward the brink of famine.