Israel launched a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon early Sunday in an attempt to stop a missile attack by Hezbollah — which later fired rockets into Israel’s northern area.
“In a self-defense act to remove these threats, the (Israeli military) is striking terror targets in Lebanon, from which Hezbollah was planning to launch their attacks on Israeli civilians,” Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said.
The attack was carried out by fighter jets, Hargari said, with a focus on the terrorist organization.
Lebanese media reported strikes in the country’s south without immediately providing more details.
The attack was made in anticipation of Hezbollah fulfilling promises to launch a heavy barrage of rockets and missiles toward Israel as revenge for the assassination of one of its top military commanders last month, the IDF said.
“We can see that Hezbollah is preparing to launch an extensive attack on Israel, while endangering the Lebanese civilians,” Hagari said.
”We warn the civilians located in the areas where Hezbollah is operating to move out of harm’s way immediately for their own safety,” he added.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military had eliminated “thousands of rockets that were aimed at northern Israel.”
“We are determined to do everything to defend our country, to return the residents of the north securely to their homes and to continue upholding a simple rule: Whoever harms us — we will harm them,” Netanyahu said Sunday.
Despite the preventative attack, Hezbollah went forward with its plan and launched a major barrage of missiles on northern Israel.
Hezbollah said its attack involved more than 320 rockets aimed at multiple sites in Israel and a “large number” of drones.
Warning sirens sounded in northern Israel and multiple explosions were heard around several areas as Israel’s Iron Dome aerial defense system shot down rockets coming from southern Lebanon, and several flights from Tel Aviv were suspended.
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Hezbollah’s attack was in retaliation for the killing of Fouad Shukur in a strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs last month.
It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties in the battle.
The exchanged fire comes as Egypt hosts a new round of cease-fire talks aimed at ending Israel’s war against Hamas.
Hezbollah, which joined forces with Hamas nearly immediately after Oct. 7, said it would put down its arms if there is a cease-fire.
With Post Wires
