Two Israeli Citizens Injured by Hezbollah Rocket Attacks Concurrent with Qalibaf's Visit to Beirut

Israeli media reported that two citizens were injured near the port city of Akka due to rocket attacks on Saturday, October 21, by Hezbollah targeting northern regions of the country. The Israeli army announced that Hezbollah fired approximately 35 rockets into Israel in recent hours, some of which were intercepted and destroyed. The rocket fire triggered warning sirens in Akka and surrounding areas. The Israeli army also reported intercepting and destroying two rockets over the skies of the Haifa vicinity. Concurrently with Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, traveled to Lebanon on Saturday and met with senior officials including Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Qalibaf stated in a speech in the southern suburb of Beirut that the Iranian government will continue to support Hezbollah and Hamas, considering it 'our duty.' This reiteration of the Islamic Republic's support for its proxy groups comes as Iran's ballistic missile attack on Israel on October 1, in retaliation for the killing of leaders of Iranian proxy militias in the region and the death of a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, involved the launch of approximately 200 ballistic missiles towards Israel, effectively putting Iran at risk of a severe counterattack from Israel and on the brink of war. The Israeli army issued a statement ordering residents of 22 other villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate to areas north of the 'Awali' River. The statement also warned residents of southern Lebanon not to return to their homes as military forces continue to engage in combat with Hezbollah in the area. Avichai Adraee, the spokesperson for the Israeli army, wrote on X that Israeli forces continue to 'target Hezbollah positions inside or near your villages. Do not go south; anyone who goes south may endanger their life.' Adraee reiterated a previous request for health workers and medical teams in southern Lebanon to refrain from using ambulances, stating that these ambulances are being used by Hezbollah fighters. He added, 'We ask medical teams to avoid contact with Hezbollah members and not to cooperate with them.' The Israeli army emphasized that necessary actions will be taken against any vehicle carrying armed individuals, regardless of its type. Reuters reported, citing sources from the Gaza Health Organization controlled by Hamas, that Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip left at least 19 dead the previous evening. As Israel advances in the Jabalia area in northern Gaza, international relief organizations have reported that thousands are trapped in the area. Israel has not yet reacted to this news. However, the Israeli army announced that in recent days, it has eliminated several militants in the Jabalia area and its surroundings and succeeded in discovering weapons and destroying military infrastructure. The Israeli army's operations in this area began about a week ago, with Israel citing the goal of combating Hamas militants and preventing their reorganization. The ongoing clashes between the Israeli army on one side and Hezbollah and Hamas, as two groups affiliated with the Iranian government on the other side, occur while Israel has yet to respond to the Iranian ballistic missile attack on its territory on October 1. The difficult choice for Israel: Iranian bomb or bombing Iran. The Pentagon: The U.S. is prepared to counter potential attacks from the Islamic Republic and its proxies. Reuters: Hezbollah has formed a 'new military command' following heavy blows from Israel. Continued attacks on Hezbollah positions; the Israeli army emphasized the use of this militia group as 'human shields.' Reuters: Gulf Arab states have urged the U.S. to dissuade Israel from attacking Iranian oil facilities.