Security Cabinet Meets Following Rocket Attacks From Lebanese Territory

PM Benjamin Netanyahu has convened Israel's Security Cabinet for the first time in a year following a series of rocket strikes into the north of the country from Lebanese territory. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have stated that 34 rockets were fired, with 25 intercepted and a minimum of five falling in Israel. This would make it the largest rocket barrage from Lebanese territory since the 2006 war.

• Reuters reports an unnamed Israeli defence official stating that while the IDF is still making assessments, the assumption is that the attacks came from Palestinian groups in Lebanon rather than from Hezbollah.
• The timing of the escalation in tensions is not surprising, with attacks often coinciding with religious holidays (the Jewish Passover festival, Islamic Eid al-Fitr, and Christian Easter celebrations all take place in the coming days).
• The Security Cabinet includes the defence minister, in this case Yoav Gallant, who was ostensibly sacked by Netanyahu two weeks ago for speaking out against the controversial judicial reforms that have seen mass protests. The presence of two hard-line right wingers in the form of Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in the security cabinet could see Netanyahu under pressure to respond with a significant show of force.