“Mass Casualty Event” In Northern Israel After Hezbollah Drone Strikes IDF Soldiers

According to Haaretz reporting, at least 39 Israelis were wounded (four critically and 12 moderately to severely) after a  drone attack was launched from Lebanon targeting the Golani Brigade base in Binyamina, leading to critical injuries and fatalities in the northern Haifa district.

Serious incident south of Haifa. Direct hit from a Hezbollah drone. Details to follow.

— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) October 13, 2024

According to Al Jazeera, at least three people are confirmed dead, with Channel 12 and the Israeli Army Radio adding that two drones were launched toward Israel, and while air defenses shot down one over the sea, a second drone “impacted the base.”

Wow !! That’s a serious incident here pic.twitter.com/rfEJd9t515

— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) October 13, 2024

The military is investigating why no sirens were activated and why no interception occurred.

Ambulances are rushing to the base, preliminary reports indicate more than 10 soldiers critically injured and more than 30 injured in total at the IDF base in Binyamina pic.twitter.com/UfUEVNkU9n

— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) October 13, 2024

According to unconfirmed reports, the drone attack hit a food court where Israeli soldiers were gathered before leaving for operations in Lebanon.

The drone hit straight inside the dining hall, at diner time. https://t.co/a3pfk5OPWv pic.twitter.com/qvsYfa9D6w

— MenchOsint (@MenchOsint) October 13, 2024

The drone attack hit a food court where Israeli soldiers were gathered before leaving for operations in Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/BIVrBmmMGd

— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) October 13, 2024

The Israeli Army Radio, citing a military source, said that the Hezbollah drone attack “is the bloodiest since the beginning of the war.”

Update: Israeli Army Radio, citing a military source: The Binyamina attack was carried out by a drone launched by Hezbollah and it is the bloodiest since the beginning of the war.

— EndGameWW3 🇺🇸 (@EndGameWW3) October 13, 2024

According to Drop Site News, despite widespread coverage of the attack, Israeli media outlets appear to be operating under a blackout or censorship order. Reports confirm the occurrence of the strike and the number of casualties; however, the outlets refrain from disclosing that the target was a Golani military base or that the injured were soldiers. Notably, Haaretz has also limited its reporting to press releases from rescue services and, as of this post, has not mentioned the military base.

Following the strike, Hezbollah has warned Israeli ‘settlers’ against staying near army bases in northern Israel ‘until further notice.’ It’s doubtful whether the Israeli “settlers” will follow Hezbollah’s advice.

Helicopters transporting IOF Casualties. pic.twitter.com/Vc3N9W8Wuz

— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) October 13, 2024

The attack comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with many expecting a retaliation by Israel against Iran in response to the recent missile launch. While the Biden admin appears to have removed the threat to Iran’s nuclear facilities, many expect that when Israel does retaliate it will target Iran’s military infrastructure.