A wave of overnight rocket alarms and continued missile fire has underscored what Israeli officials increasingly describe as a strategy of psychological pressure by Iran and its regional allies.
While the physical damage caused by the rocket fire on Israel has so far remained relatively limited, the psychological impact on the civilian population has been significant. After another largely sleepless night, millions of Israelis are again balancing work and remote studies while repeatedly moving between daily routines and protected spaces.
Public anxiety intensified Tuesday night amid reports that Hezbollah was preparing a heavier rocket barrage, sparking a wave of rumors and speculation across the country.
Hezbollah Launches Largest Northern Barrage of War
At around 8 p.m., Hezbollah carried out a major rocket attack targeting northern Israel, including the Galilee, Haifa and the Krayot area.
According to Israeli estimates, the organization fired more than 100 rockets, marking the largest Hezbollah strike in northern Israel since the beginning of the current war.
Israeli security officials are also monitoring the possibility that Hezbollah’s elite commando unit, the Radwan Force, could attempt to move closer to the Israeli border.
While officials say the latest attack does not represent a fundamental shift in the conflict, they warned that it could prompt a broader Israeli response, potentially including strikes deeper inside Lebanon.
Israel Reinforces Northern Front
The renewed attacks highlight that Hezbollah remains operational despite suffering setbacks in recent years.
Israeli analysts say the group is weaker than it was two years ago but still capable of coordinated attacks, likely carried out in coordination with Iran.
The Israel Defense Forces has reinforced its presence along the northern border, deploying additional units and signaling preparations for the possibility of a wider campaign in southern Lebanon.
Iran Adopts Strategy of Attrition
Against the overwhelming military power of Israel and the United States, analysts believe Iran is pursuing a strategy of attrition.
For Tehran, victory may not require defeating its adversaries outright. Instead, maintaining the survival of the regime through prolonged conflict could be sufficient.
The recent transfer of power to Mojtaba Khamenei following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, is widely seen as evidence that hardline factions aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continue to dominate Iran’s political system.
Questions Emerge in Washington Over War’s Duration
In Washington, some officials are beginning to raise questions about how long the conflict should continue, particularly as global energy prices rise and concerns grow about wider economic repercussions.
U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that the war could end soon, stating that there is “almost nothing left to attack” inside Iran and that the conflict could conclude at any moment if Washington chooses.
However, the timetable remains unclear, and analysts say the fighting could continue for several weeks.
Israeli Leadership Sends Mixed Signals
Israeli leaders have delivered mixed messages about the war’s trajectory.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has addressed the Israeli public mainly through occasional video statements, while avoiding regular press briefings with journalists.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said this week that the war could continue indefinitely, sharply criticizing Iran’s leadership and accusing it of hiding underground during the conflict.
Israeli Officials See “Cracks” in Iranian Regime
Senior Israeli security officials say the war has begun to expose weaknesses in Iran’s ruling system, though they stress that a collapse of the regime remains far from certain.
According to Israeli assessments, the combined U.S.–Israeli campaign was never expected to immediately topple Iran’s government.
Instead, officials hope that the conflict will gradually weaken the regime, particularly following domestic unrest earlier this year that was sparked by a violent crackdown on protests.
Nuclear Issue Remains Central Concern
One of the key unresolved issues remains Iran’s nuclear program.
Israeli officials say roughly 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% purity remain stored at several protected facilities across Iran.
Security experts warn that any diplomatic arrangement ending the war without addressing the fate of this material could leave the core nuclear threat unresolved.
Israeli officials have also indicated that the conflict with Hezbollah could continue even after the war with Iran ends.
A diplomatic source said Israel intends to maintain military pressure in Lebanon to weaken the organization and ultimately disarming it.
Mediation Efforts Continue Behind the Scenes
Despite the rejection earlier this week of a French proposal for a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, mediation efforts are continuing through several channels.
According to sources familiar with the talks, two parallel mediation tracks are underway — one involving official diplomatic actors and another conducted through unofficial intermediaries.
Joseph Aoun, Lebanon’s president, told the United Nations that his country is interested in pursuing ceasefire negotiations.
Diplomatic sources say the administration of President Trump may seek to conclude the war within about a week.
According to those sources, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized in discussions with Middle Eastern counterparts that the primary objective of the campaign is to damage Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs rather than overthrow its government.
That message contrasts with statements by Netanyahu, who recently called on the Iranian public to seize the opportunity to remove the ruling regime.
“You have an opportunity to overthrow the regime,” Netanyahu wrote in a message directed at Iranian citizens. “We are creating the conditions for you to do so.”
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