The Israel Air Force focused its attacks in Lebanon on Thursday against long-range Iranian Fajr 3 and 4 missiles, and succeeded in hitting some that were hidden in camouflaged bunkers. The missiles have a range that can reach Haifa and possibly Hadera.
Hezbollah struck a Haifa neighborhood last night with one of its long-range missiles, a strategic escalation in the current confrontation. The attack should be considered more serious than the attack on the IDF patrol that resulted in the abduction of two soldiers.
While the Lebanese government is indirectly responsible for Thursday's attack, Hezbollah would not have carried it out without Iranian backing. Clearly, the Israeli air strikes mean that Iran now will have to replenish Hezbollah's missile stores.
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Thursday's success against Hezbollah's storage bunkers reflects more than just operational capabilities, but rather Israel's ability to collect accurate intelligence over time.
Iranian advisers had been involved in the construction of these bunkers and the use of the rockets. Hezbollah militants were sent to Iran to train with the Fajr missiles.
Hezbollah and Lebanese army forces fired anti-aircraft artillery at Israeli aircraft, but at least for now, the IAF has been ordered to avoid striking Lebanese army positions. Any hits against the army that have taken place since the outbreak of the current conflict were unintentional.
The vast majority of the 100 targets that the IAF have hit are in southern Lebanon. On Friday, the air force is likely to expand its operations to include other parts of the country. The operations are guided by an effort to indicate to the Lebanese government those areas for which Israel considers it responsible. Therefore, it is important to note not only the nature of the targets the air force is attacking, but also those that it is not. The air force, for example, attacked Hezbollah offices, but none in Beirut.
The most significant strategic target attacked thus far has been the Beirut airport. While the strikes against runways have shut down operations, none of the radar or control towers were hit. This allows the airport to continue to control international flights over its airspace.
Similarly, the main ports have not been hit, and with the exception of Hezbollah's broadcasting station, no other targets in Beirut were attacked. The air force has concentrated its attacks against Hezbollah's military installations.
The main Shi'ite neighborhoods in the capital, the power plant, and transformers also have not been targeted. Those in the air force said that the targets will be expanded as it becomes clear that a terrorist group supported by Iran essentially is in control of Lebanon
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