Reports: Israeli Attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon Intensified

Six informed sources told Reuters that Israel has launched an unprecedented wave of deadly attacks in Syria targeting trucks, infrastructure, and individuals linked to the transfer of weapons from the Islamic Republic of Iran to its proxy forces in the region. These sources, including a Syrian army intelligence officer and a commander of a regional coalition supporting Damascus, stated that Israel has changed its strategy following Hamas's attack on October 7. According to these sources, although Israel has been attacking Iranian-related targets in Syria for years, it is now conducting deadlier and more frequent airstrikes on Iranian air defense systems and weapons transfers in Syria. A regional coalition commander and two other sources familiar with Hezbollah's mindset said that Israel has abandoned the unspoken 'rules of the game' that were previously evident in its attacks on Syria and seems no longer cautious about inflicting heavy casualties on Hezbollah in Syria. Israel began attacking Iranian-related targets in Syria years ago, and according to Reuters sources, it appeared that Israel was avoiding killing Hezbollah members in Syria whenever possible. A regional intelligence officer said that Israel feared that a high number of Hezbollah casualties would lead to retaliation by Hezbollah against Israeli villages across the border. However, this officer noted that the counterattacks are now daily, and Israel is less cautious about killing Hezbollah members in Syria and is less constrained. A Syrian intelligence officer stated that Israeli attacks on defensive equipment in Syria occur even before forces can install them. Airports in Damascus, the capital of Syria, and northern Aleppo, which the Iranian government has used for weapon transfers, have been rendered almost continuously inaccessible due to attacks. Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock have returned to the Middle East this week, aiming to curb violence through diplomacy. Italy announced that the U.S. and its allies in the G7 are seeking a quick way to exit the military phase of the Gaza conflict. Some are concerned that the ongoing war could escalate into a full-scale conflict between Iran's proxies in the region and the U.S. and Israel. Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice will hold sessions this week regarding a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in the Gaza war. Israel has denied South Africa's allegations. Following Hamas's terrorist attack in southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and took around 240 hostages, Israel launched a large-scale attack on Gaza to eradicate Hamas. Armed Palestinian groups have not agreed to lay down their weapons in exchange for a halt to Israeli military operations. So far, according to officials in Gaza controlled by Hamas, about 23,000 people have been killed in Gaza due to Israeli actions. Netanyahu: The war will continue until 'all objectives' are achieved; Hezbollah should know no terrorist is safe. Blinken in Qatar: Palestinians must be able to return home after the war ends.