northern front Israel strikes Hezbollah weapons caches deep inside Lebanon after drone attack near Sea of Galilee

Israeli aircraft destroyed two weapons caches of the terror group Hezbollah in the town of Ghaziyeh, some 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the Israeli border, in what the IDF on Monday described as retaliation for an earlier drone attack deep inside Israeli territory.

Since it began its daily attacks against Israel last October, Hezbollah mainly attacked targets near the Israeli border in the Upper Galilee.

On Monday, a Hezbollah attack drone struck an open field near the town of Arbel on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, around 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of the border. No injuries or damage resulted from the attack.

Following the downing of a Hezbollah UAV today (February 19) in the Tiberias area, two weapons depots were attacked about two hours ago south of Sidon, in the Ghaziyeh area. The area is about 50 kilometers from the border and is considered a distinct Hezbollah Stronghold. pic.twitter.com/EQlgIDamPd

— Israel-Alma (@IsraelAlmaorg) February 19, 2024

The town of Ghaziyeh is located about 30 kilometers from the Lebanese border and is considered a distinct Hezbollah stronghold.

Lebanese state-run National News Agency (NNA) claimed that the Israeli strikes hit a factory for tires and electricity generators and wounded 14 people, “most of them Syrian and Palestinian workers.”

Footage on Lebanese social media showed two huge fireballs rising over the town after the strikes.

Hezbollah has not yet announced any deaths resulting from the strikes.

כוחות האיסוף והמודיעין של אוגדה 146 זיהו מוקדם יותר היום מספר מחבלים בתשתית צבאית של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה במרחב הכפר מרווחין שבדרום לבנון, בשיתוף פעולה מהיר הוזנקו מטוסי קרב שתקפו את התשתית בזמן שהמחבלים שהו במקום pic.twitter.com/dTfIH7paUk

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) February 19, 2024

The IDF’s retaliation in Ghaziyeh can be seen as another Israeli attempt to deter additional attacks by the terror group. In addition, Israeli aircraft also struck targets near Mais al-Jabal and al-Adaisa and in the village of a-Dhahira on Monday.

The IDF announced earlier on Monday that troops from the 146th Division's reconnaissance and intelligence unit identified several terrorists in a military infrastructure, and quickly directed fighter jets to strike the building.

On Sunday, an Israeli visual intelligence analyst identified a Hezbollah terrorist entering a military building of Hezbollah near Ayta al-Sha’ab, the IDF stated. After alerting the IDF's Northern Command, Israeli fighter jets were scrambled and struck the building.

The IAF conducted airstrikes that targeted 2 “Hezbollah military depots” near Sidon, Lebanon on Feb. 19. This is the 1st time since Oct. 7 Israel has conducted airstrikes in Sidon, which is roughly 30km N. of the Litani River & 40km S. of Beirut. 6/6

Full report:… pic.twitter.com/jLPcPoaCg4

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) February 20, 2024

Hezbollah attacks throughout Israel on Monday caused alarm sirens in the area of Kiryat Shmona, in Zar’it, and at least twice in the border areas surrounding Avivim and Yir’on.