Hezbollah Rockets Hit Haifa and Karmiel — IDF Says Fire Now From Deeper in Lebanon

Rocket sirens sounded in the northern Israeli city of Haifa and Karmiel and surrounding towns on Day 9, signalling a sustained escalation of Hezbollah's rocket and drone campaign against Israel. The IDF confirmed that Hezbollah had fired many dozens of rockets and drones at Israel since Day 8, representing a significant ramp-up from prior days. Critically, the IDF noted that Hezbollah is now launching most attacks from deeper within southern Lebanon — not from areas close to the border. This tactical shift has two implications: (1) it means Hezbollah's front-line border positions have likely been degraded by IDF operations, pushing launch sites further north; and (2) it makes targeting launch infrastructure more operationally complex for the IDF, as strikes must penetrate deeper into Lebanese territory. The IDF reiterated its evacuation warning for all Lebanese civilians south of the Litani River, noting over 420,000 Lebanese civilians have now evacuated their homes. The Hezbollah escalation comes despite — or possibly in response to — the IDF killing IRGC Quds Force commanders in Beirut earlier on Day 9. Hezbollah may be demonstrating it can operate independently of its IRGC command links. The Kiryat Shmona evacuation order issued by Hezbollah on Day 8 remains outstanding.