Israeli Defense Minister Says Iran Is Ramping Up Attacks

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has warned that the Islamic Republic of Iran is intensifying its attacks against his country, saying that Lebanon’s Tehran-backed Hezbollah group has fired 1,000 munitions at Israel since the start of the Gaza war on October 7.

“In recent days, the defense establishment has identified a growing trend of Iran working to intensify attacks by the militias against Israel through its proxies in Iraq, Syria and Yemen. We are following, and will know how to act at the appropriate time, place and strength,” Gallant told reporters on November 19.

“Iran is the root of hostility and aggression against the State of Israel. The war is multifront, even though its intensity is focused on Gaza,” the minister said.

The comments came as Hezbollah launched more rocket and missile attacks and instigated drone infiltrations at northern Israel, leading Israeli forces to respond against targets belonging to the group in Lebanon.

“Since the beginning of the war, Hezbollah has fired more than 1,000 munitions at Israeli targets but suffers far more significant harm. We’re thwarting [missile and rocket] squads and hitting military assets and targets, Hezbollah pays a heavy price every day,” the Israeli minister said.

As regional tensions soar over the war between Israel and palestinian terrorist group Hamas in Gaza, the United States blamed Tehran and militia groups it supports for the more than 60 attacks against American troops in Iraq and Syria since mid-October.

At least 60 troops have suffered minor injuries, often traumatic brain injuries, officials say. All US personnel who were wounded have returned to duty.

Israel has accused Iran of involvement in the seizure of a British-owned and Japanese-operated cargo ship in the southern Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi rebels -- a claim denied by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani on November 20.

The Houthis, an ally of the Islamic Republic, have been launching long-range missile and drone salvoes at Israel in solidarity with Hamas, which also backed by Tehran.