Recent rocket attacks attributed to Hezbollah have resulted in the deaths of seven individuals in northern Israel, marking one of the deadliest days in recent months. Among the victims were an Israeli farmer and four foreign agricultural workers, who lost their lives when rockets struck near Metula, a town along the Lebanon border. Foreign Minister Israel Katz confirmed the fatalities. Later in the day, an Israeli woman and her adult son were killed while picking olives near Kibbutz Afek, located on the outskirts of Haifa.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for multiple rocket barrages aimed at the Krayot area north of Haifa and against Israeli military positions near Khiam, Lebanon. The Israeli Defense Forces reported two projectiles crossing into their territory, landing in an open space near Metula. Local media identified the deceased farmer as Omer Weinstein, a 46-year-old father from Kibbutz Dafna. The four foreign workers killed were reported to be Thai nationals, with a fifth worker sustaining serious injuries from shrapnel and needing helicopter transport to Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa.

At the time of the attack on Weinstein and the foreign workers, they were reportedly in a field close to the border fence, which had been designated as a closed military zone by Israeli forces shortly before launching ground operations in Lebanon aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s capabilities.

The second attack occurred later that day when rockets hit agricultural land near Kibbutz Afek, approximately 65 kilometers southwest of Metula. The military confirmed that 55 projectiles were launched towards various regions including Western Galilee and Central Galilee during early afternoon hours. Some rockets were intercepted while others fell harmlessly in open areas.

Among those killed during this second attack were Mina Hasson, aged 60, and her 30-year-old son Karmi, struck by a rocket while working in an olive grove. A 70-year-old man was also lightly injured and transported to a hospital for treatment.

In related news, a UN peacekeeping base in southern Lebanon housing Irish troops was hit by a stray rocket fired toward Israel. Fortunately, it landed in an unoccupied section of Camp Shamrock with no casualties reported.

These attacks coincided with talks between US special envoys and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about a potential ceasefire regarding ongoing hostilities with Hezbollah. Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s commitment to security and ensuring that residents can safely return home after being displaced due to heightened tensions that began following Hamas’s assault on Israel earlier this month.

Since then, more than 2,800 people have died in Lebanon due to ongoing violence linked to this conflict. The situation remains tense as Israeli military operations continue against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon amidst rising casualties on both sides.