Israel recently displayed its military might with an unprecedented cross-border operation in which Israeli forces coordinated strikes on targets across Yemen, Lebanon, Syria and Gaza within 24 hours – marking one of the largest cross-border operations ever carried out in this part of the region in recent history. They claimed this action was necessary as response to increasing Iranian-backed groups operating across multiple fronts that threatened Israel’s national security interests.
Late Monday evening, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that its warplanes and drones had struck several sites around Yemen, Lebanon and Syria targeted by Iranian-aligned militia infrastructure; Hezbollah arms depots; Iranian-align militia infrastructure in Syria as well as Hamas positions within Gaza Strip.
“These strikes were launched to neutralize imminent threats and send a clear message to any hostile actors attempting to destabilize the region,” according to IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. “Israel will not accept coordinated aggression by Iranian proxies on multiple borders.”
Yemen was hit with multiple targets in recent days, including suspected long-range missile storage facilities used by Houthis rebels who have launched projectiles toward Israel in recent weeks. Explosions were reported near Al-Hudaydah port city but casualties remain unconfirmed.
Israeli fighter jets launched strikes against targets believed to house Hezbollah’s advanced weapons systems in southern Lebanon. Since the Gaza war began last October, Hezbollah and Israeli forces have engaged in intermittent firefights near its northern border, exchanging fire.
Israel launched attacks in Syria that hit military compounds near Damascus and Deir ez-Zor, where Iranian-backed militias are active. State media confirmed these strikes and said some missiles were intercepted by Syrian air defense systems; damage assessments are currently under way.
Israel’s military in Gaza continued its campaign against Hamas by striking against what it described as underground tunnels, weapons storage sites and command centers, following heavy rocket fire from Gaza into southern Israel over the weekend.
Israel is increasingly concerned about regional escalation stoked by Iran-backed groups who threaten regional instability, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warning that Israel stands ready for prolonged multi-front battle if necessary.
Israel should send out a clear message to its enemies that, no matter the source of threat–from south, north, or east–it will act swiftly to safeguard its sovereignty and citizens,” Gallant stated.
Analysts caution of the potential ramifications of these strikes on regional security if diplomatic efforts fail to reduce tensions.