Explosions rocked the border between Israel and Lebanon as tensions escalated with Hezbollah launching rockets towards northern Israel. The Israeli military swiftly responded by striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, destroying numerous rocket launchers in what they deemed as an act of self-defense.
According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), they detected extensive preparations for a large-scale aerial attack by Hezbollah, prompting them to launch pre-emptive strikes on over 40 launch areas, some aimed towards central Israel. Foreign Minister Israel Katz emphasized that Israel’s actions were to protect its citizens and territory, not to incite all-out war in the Middle East.
In retaliation, Hezbollah fired hundreds of rockets towards Israeli military bases and barracks, marking a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and the Iran-backed Shia Muslim group. The exchange of fire resulted in casualties, with one person killed and two others injured in Lebanon.
The conflict stems from the killing of Hezbollah’s senior military commander, Fuad Shukr, in a previous Israeli air strike in Beirut. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant are closely monitoring the situation from an IDF base in Tel Aviv, as they navigate the ongoing hostilities with Hezbollah, which mirrors the clashes with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The situation remains volatile as both sides continue to exchange fire, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation in the region.
