Iranian-backed Hezbollah announced it had commenced a significant offensive against Israel, deploying a substantial number of drones and rockets on Sunday. This move is in retaliation for the assassination of its top commander in a Beirut suburb last month.
The Lebanon-based militant group claimed it targeted a “special military site” and Israel’s Iron Dome defence systems, with Hezbollah noting that its full response would unfold over time.
In response to these developments, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has declared a “special situation on the home front.” The Israeli military has reported that most of its counterattacks are concentrated in southern Lebanon but will extend wherever necessary to address the threat.
Israeli jets conducted strikes in Lebanon early Sunday after intelligence suggested that Hezbollah was preparing to launch rockets and missiles towards Israeli territory. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed these actions in a statement, underscoring their objective to target “terror sites” in Lebanon.
In response to the escalating tensions, flights to and from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv have been suspended. The Israeli cabinet convened an emergency meeting at 7 a.m. (0400 GMT) to address the situation.
Hezbollah has yet to comment on the Israeli strikes, which come amid increasing fears of escalation following a missile attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights last month that resulted in the death of 12 individuals. This was followed by the assassination of a senior Hezbollah commander by the Israeli military.
The IDF has warned that Hezbollah is expected to continue launching rockets and possibly missiles towards Israel in the near future.