The Reason Israel has gone ape-sh*t crazy with Lebanon

 

Hezbollah Rocket Artillery Strikes Hit Key F-16 Base and Other Facilities Across Israel: Information Blockout Imposed

Middle East , Ground , Battlefield

Military Watch Magazine Editorial Staff

September-25th-2024

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Israeli F-16 at Ramat David Airbase

Following the escalation of Israeli attacks on a range of Lebanese targets, the paramilitary group Hezbollah has launched large scale rocket artillery attacks on key targets across Israel. 

Israeli authorities have responded with an information blackout, strictly prohibiting the publication of footage of the attacks and reporting on the damage. Eighteen significant attacks are reported to have been launched on September 24, the majority of them against military bases, which according to some sources have had a significant impact on Israel’s military capabilities. 

One of the notable targets was Megiddo Military Airport, which was first targeted with Fadi 1 and Fadi 2 rocket artillery, a second time with a salvo of Fadi 2s, and a third time with the same system. A second major target was Ramat David airbase, which was also hit using a salvo of Fadi 2 artillery. 

The Fadi 1 is a 220 millimetre caliber system with an 80 kilometre range, while the Fadi 2 is a 302 millimetre caliber system with a 105 kilometre range. 

Ramat David Airbase hosts Israel’s three frontline squadrons of F-16C/D fourth generation fighters, namely Squadron 101 "First Fighter,” Squadron 105 "Scorpion,” and Squadron 109 “The Valley.” These represent over one third of Israel’s active F-16s outside specialised training units. 

Hezbollah has previously conducted shows of force with drone overflights of the facility. Megiddo Military Airport serves as a second staging base for F-16 operations in case of damage to Ramat David Airbase.

Beyond attacks on concentrations of Israeli air power, further attacks have targeted Amos Base, the main base for transportation and logistical support for northern Israeli, again using the Fadi 1. Another attack targeted an explosives factory in the Zichron with a salvo of Fadi 2 artillery, while further strikes using an unconfirmed rocket artillery class targeted logistics warehouses of the 146th Division in the Naftali Base. 

Additional strikes targeted: the Elyakim camp south of Haifa with Fadi 2 artillery, and the main warehouses of the Northern Command at the Nimra Base. One target that was particularly singled out was the headquarters of the Northern Command of the Israel Defence Forces, which  in a first strike was hit with 50 rockets before a second strike hit it with around 40. 

Hezbollah also began to use its more capable Fadi 3 rocket artillery system, which is reportedly of higher calibre and has a longer range, with this employed against Shimshon Base.

Alongside attacks on military targets, Hezbollah has also launched missile salvoes against targets against settlements outside Israel’s internationally recognised borders in retaliation for Israeli attacks on Lebanese civilian targets. 

These have included the settlements of Kiryat Shmona, Rosh Pina, Hagoshrim, Katzrin and Gesher Haziv. Beyond rocket artillery strikes, Israel also launched a drone attack on the headquarters of the Israel Defence Forces Shayetet 13 maritime commando unit in Atlit base, targeting personnel concentrations at the facility. 

Hezbollah forces and Shayetet 13 have a long history of engagement, including a successful ambush of the commandos causing heavy losses in the 1990s, and a successful commando attack on Hezbollah positions in 2006 which caused over half a dozen losses. 

Hezbollah and Israel have engaged in a near continuous series of skirmishes since October 2023, with the Lebanese paramilitary having demonstrated sophisticated military capabilities on multiple occasions. This has included the ability to use a range of drone and artillery assets for complex air defence suppression operations, including neutralising Israel’s Iron Dome air defence systems.