Bombing Tel Aviv vs. Bombing Beirut - Revealing Israel's War Plan Before October 7
Recent weeks have seen a rapid escalation of the war between Israel and Hezbollah. With a film called "Bombing Tel Aviv vs. Bombing Beirut," Hezbollah, the Lebanese resistance organization, sent a clear warning to Israel. Targeting Tel Aviv, this film followed rocket strikes meant as a direct reaction to Israeli activity. Israel's Army Radio reports that since Sunday, Hezbollah has fired 340 rockets from Lebanon into Israeli-occupied territory, setting off over 500 warning sirens in the area.
According to accounts, around 4 million Israelis have sought cover in bunkers, sparking general fear. On the West Bank, where Israeli troops were operating on Sunday, tensions are also somewhat high. Two Palestinians passed dead in Jenin and numerous more were arrested as a result of these acts. Human rights organisations claim that 11,800 Palestinians—including 775 children and 435 women—have been arrested in the West Bank since October 2023. Among those taken into custody are 136 reporters, an action interpreted as an attempt to stifle local information flow.
Severe storms and rain have demolished refugee shelters, further aggravating the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Seawater has swamped numerous tents on the shores close to Deir al-Balah and Khan Yunis, leaving displaced families in dire circumstances. With strong rain ruining their makeshift shelters, refugees at Yarmouk Stadium of Gaza City also live in terrible conditions.
An Israeli news source, Channel 12, claimed that before October 7, 2023 Israel intended to assault Gaza heavily. Targeting Hamas commanders, including Yahya Sinwar, this operation sought to eradicate them. But the unexpected attack by Hamas on that day threw off Israel's plans and demonstrated their capacity to test and premonition abilities of Israeli military operations.
