Israeli Army Attacks 'Terrorist Targets' in Lebanon; Hezbollah Claims to Have Fired 'Falq-2' Missile at Israel for the First Time

Hezbollah of Lebanon announced on Saturday, June 9, that it targeted a military command center in northern Israel with a 'Falq-2' missile. A security source told Reuters that this is the first time Hezbollah has used this type of rocket. The group had previously used the 'Falq-1' missile in dozens of instances. The Falq-1 and Falq-2 rockets are produced by the Aerospace Industries Organization, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Support of the Islamic Republic. While the Falq-1 is built in a 240 mm caliber and is 1.25 meters long, the Falq-2, with a caliber of 333 mm and a length of 1.82 meters, operates faster and more destructively. The Houthis, backed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, have also used 'Falq' missiles in their attacks. Concurrently with Hezbollah's claims, the Israeli army announced that on Saturday afternoon, June 9, it attacked Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Lebanese media reported two fatalities. The Jerusalem Post quoted the Israeli army as saying they identified a Hezbollah operative in the Aitaroun area of southern Lebanon, and shortly after, an air force plane targeted this 'terrorist.' The Israeli army stated that fighter jets also targeted four Hezbollah missile launchers. There were also reports of an attack on the U.S. embassy in Lebanon, where an assailant was arrested with ISIS insignia. Continued Hezbollah attacks on northern Israel prompted warnings from Netanyahu, while the U.S. expressed concern. Netanyahu warned Lebanon. Reuters assessed the escalation of missile attacks by Iraqi Shiite militants against Israel, noting it benefits no party. Hezbollah's attacks on northern Israel continue, and the Houthis in Yemen also claimed to have targeted the port of Eilat.