IDF: No Interception attempt in fatal Hezbollah rocket attack

An initial IDF investigation into Tuesday's rocket attack that killed Noa and Nir Baranes in the Golan Heights reveals no attempt was made to intercept the incoming projectiles. The Air Force categorizes the roads in the area as "open spaces," leaving them unprotected by defense systems.

Security officials are now calling for updated public guidelines from the Air Force and Home Front Command, including new signage and instructions to prevent similar incidents.

This attack came shortly after a senior Hezbollah operative, Yasser Nimr Qarnabsh, was killed in a targeted strike on the Damascus road in Beirut. Qarnabsh, a former security guard for Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, had held several high-ranking positions within the organization.

Hezbollah retaliated with a barrage of about 40 rockets from southern Lebanon. Despite Israel's heightened air defense readiness, one rocket struck the Baranes' vehicle, resulting in their deaths.

The IDF faces criticism for its limited response and for allowing Hezbollah to establish predictable retaliation patterns. This contradicts senior IDF officials' claims of adopting more unpredictable strategies against the group.

Security experts argue that Hezbollah has managed to create fixed equations, such as launching rocket barrages in response to attacks in southern Lebanon, as evidenced by yesterday's deadly incident.

* JPost contributed to this report.