Middle East: Haifa has entered the arena of conflict between the Axis of Resistance and the Israeli entity, as part of the escalation phases in the "Al-Aqsa Storm" battle after its first year, reshuffling strategic priorities. Haifa holds significant importance for Israel and the Resistance Front in the grand liberation war.

The Islamic Resistance has placed Haifa within its range of fire and missile targets due to its importance to the occupation. It is the third most significant city after occupied Quds and Tel Aviv and serves as Israel's gateway to the outside world, playing a crucial role in maritime trade and international navigation, and therefore, in Israel's security.

Haifa hosts many of Israel's strategic facilities, the most prominent being the Haifa Port, Israel's most important port, followed by Ashdod and Eilat. Through Haifa Port, the majority of goods and supplies enter Israel, especially after the Yemeni forces imposed a naval blockade on Eilat and as Ashdod Port's role declined due to its proximity to Gaza, where resistance operations have intensified.

Hezbollah's potential targeting of Haifa Port poses a strategic dilemma for Israel, as the Resistance can effectively cut off Israel's commercial ties with the outside world, with profound consequences for the overall situation, transferring the conflict from Tel Aviv to as far as New Delhi.

India's "Adani Group," owned by billionaire Gautam Adani, an ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, acquired two-thirds of Haifa Port’s shares, while the remaining third is owned by "Gadot" in a deal considered strategic, signed two years ago.

Haifa Port plays a crucial role in Israel's import-export operations due to its strategic location near Europe. It also serves as a European gateway to the Middle East via Jordan, and from there, to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.

In addition to its geographical and commercial significance, Haifa Port is a key industrial hub, housing major chemical and petroleum companies, reflecting its important role in Israel's economy.

Haifa in the Crosshairs of the Resistance’s Missiles

The Islamic Resistance has conducted meticulous surveillance of the entire Haifa area, showcasing footage captured by its drone, "Al-Hudhud," in its first version last August. The footage includes images of Haifa Port, chemical storage containers around it, Haifa Airport and its airstrip, missile manufacturing centers, Israeli air defense sites, and residential and commercial centers for military personnel or employees in the surrounding areas in the north.

Among the sensitive and strategic facilities in Haifa Port are the Bazan refinery (which processes crude oil and produces petroleum products), ammonia plants (storing large quantities of ammonia and considered a potential target), the "HaKishon" chemical loading dock (handling petrochemical materials and housing chemical storage facilities), and "ICL" factories (containing dangerous chemicals for fertilizer production).

Additionally, there are oil tanks and refineries (with a capacity of one million cubic meters of various types), Haifa Airport (serving domestic and international flights), Haifa power station (vital for supplying energy to the city), submarine and military ship berths (which were filmed by "Al-Hudhud"), the Israeli navy base (used for military and intelligence missions), and cargo loading docks (handling over 30 million tons of goods annually).

In its third version released a few days ago, the Resistance published additional footage from "Al-Hudhud," capturing Israeli economic and military facilities, emphasizing that these targets are on the Resistance’s list for potential attacks when the time comes.

The publication of footage of Israeli facilities in Haifa coincides with a clear warning from the Islamic Resistance leadership that Hezbollah can make Haifa and other cities, like Kiryat Shmona and Metula, within the range of its missiles.

The Islamic Resistance has inflicted significant damage on the border settlements, now largely deserted, as missiles destroyed military points in those settlements, as well as areas where Israeli occupation forces gathered, and homes used by the Israeli army or potentially used later.

Consequences of the Conflict on Haifa

Daily attacks on military sites in Haifa mark a strategic shift in this battle, leading to an initial reduction in economic and commercial activity in the city. The internal front has imposed restrictions on various activities, with schools and kindergartens closed, and work permitted only in factories with reinforced shelters.

Political institutions in Haifa operate partially, and many businesses have closed since the city came under missile and drone attacks from the Resistance. Traffic and transportation in the city have also significantly decreased, impacting the mobility of settlers and the absence of employees from workplaces.

A recent survey by the "Union of Manufacturers in Haifa and the North" showed that 40% of factories in the north are operating partially, while 15% have shut down. It should be noted that around 350 factories employ over 20,000 people.

Israeli traders fear the closure of Haifa Port, as occurred in Eilat, while Ashdod Port is ill-prepared to handle large shipments, meaning ships may stop arriving.

During the July War of 2006, the Islamic Resistance closed Haifa Port by launching missiles, leading to the transition to Ashdod Port, though with less activity, resulting in significant economic losses for Israel.

However, due to the growth of international maritime trade over the past 18 years and Israel’s economic expansion, the losses this time would be several times greater. Contributing factors include the role of Yemen’s naval support in disrupting Eilat Port and instability in Ashdod due to its proximity to Gaza, which is also within the range of Palestinian missiles.

Haifa Is Not the Only Target

Between Haifa and Lebanon are several other important areas, most notably Acre, as well as the "Krayot" cluster, comprising six large settlements: Kiryat Yam, Kiryat Bialik, Kiryat Motzkin, Kiryat Ata, Kiryat Haim, and Kiryat Shmuel, with a population exceeding a quarter million settlers, making it the largest settlement cluster in the north.

This region is under daily attack by the Resistance, eroding the settlers' sense of security and increasing the economic and national burden on Israel, while also shaking the confidence of these settlers in Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, thus escalating societal pressure on the war government.

After the daily attacks on the area stretching from the border to Haifa, estimated at about 30 kilometers, the occupation government faces several options:

Haifa is described as "attractive" for investment and trade, but it is also attractive for military targeting and altering the conflict’s dynamics. As Hezbollah's martyr leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah once said: "We are in an open battle on all fronts that has entered a new phase... and between us and you are the days, nights, and the battlefield."