Israel Conducts Heavy Airstrikes on Lebanon After Hezbollah’s Attack

JERUSALEM — Israel initiated a series of airstrikes across southern Lebanon early on Sunday, aiming to preempt potential attacks from Hezbollah. This action came after Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching hundreds of rockets and drones in retaliation for the death of one of its prominent commanders last month.

The intense exchange of fire raises concerns about the possibility of an escalation leading to an all-out war that could involve the United States, Iran, and various militant groups in the region. Furthermore, this conflict threatens to derail ongoing efforts to establish a cease-fire in Gaza, where Israel has been engaged in warfare against Hamas, a group that is allied with Hezbollah, for over ten months.

The Israeli military indicated that Hezbollah was preparing for a significant rocket and missile attack aimed at Israel. In response, Hezbollah announced it had targeted Israeli military positions as an initial act of retaliation following the killing of Fouad Shukur, one of its founders, during an Israeli airstrike in Beirut last month.

This escalation coincides with ongoing negotiations in Egypt intended to resolve the Israel-Hamas conflict. Hezbollah has stated that it would cease its military activities if there is a cease-fire in Gaza. Iran, which supports both Hamas and Hezbollah, has also extended its backing to various militant groups operating in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, potentially broadening the scope of any conflict.

Air raid sirens were activated across northern Israel, prompting Ben-Gurion international airport to divert flights and postpone takeoffs temporarily. Flights resumed by 7 a.m. local time, according to the Airports Authority.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, reported that Hezbollah intended to target northern and central Israel. Early evaluations indicated minimal damage within Israel, although military forces remained on high alert. Approximately 100 Israeli aircraft participated in the airstrikes conducted on Sunday.

According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, one individual was killed when a strike hit a vehicle in the town of Khiam. Additional reports from Lebanese media indicated that further airstrikes occurred across southern Lebanon, with footage of these attacks circulating on social media platforms.

Hezbollah reported launching an attack involving over 320 Katyusha rockets directed at various sites within Israel, along with a significant number of drones. The group stated that the operation targeted a critical Israeli military objective, which it plans to reveal later, as well as enemy sites and Iron Dome missile defense systems.

The group later declared an end to what it described as the initial phase of its retaliatory attacks, stating that this would pave the way for deeper incursions into Israel. They claimed that all drones utilized in the attacks successfully struck their targets, although the exact number was not specified. Hezbollah provided a list of 11 military positions, barracks, and bases that were targeted in northern Israel and the Golan Heights.

In the United States, Sean Savett, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, noted that President Joe Biden was closely observing the unfolding situation in Israel and Lebanon. He confirmed that senior U.S. officials were in continuous communication with their Israeli counterparts.

The Pentagon disclosed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin conferred with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, about defensive strategies against Hezbollah. Austin reaffirmed the unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel’s defense, especially against any aggressions from Iran and its allied groups.

In the past weeks, diplomats from the U.S. and various European nations have engaged in multiple visits to both Israel and Lebanon in an attempt to prevent a further escalation that could result in a regional conflict.

Last week, Israel’s defense minister indicated that additional troops were being deployed to the Lebanese border in anticipation of potential confrontations with Hezbollah.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, another Israeli military spokesperson, emphasized that the military had acted in self-defense, highlighting Hezbollah’s preparations for a large-scale attack on Israel, which he said poses a risk to Lebanese civilians. He urged civilians in regions where Hezbollah operates to evacuate for their safety.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been actively managing operations from military headquarters in Tel Aviv alongside Defense Minister Gallant. Gallant declared a “special situation on the home front” as the Security Cabinet was scheduled to convene later that Sunday.

Hezbollah has increased its military actions against Israel since the outbreak of the conflict in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’s attack on October 7. The ongoing hostilities have forced tens of thousands of individuals on both sides of the border to flee, though both parties had previously exercised caution to avoid full-scale war.

Hezbollah, which maintained a stalemate against Israel in the summer of 2006, is now estimated to be significantly more powerful. The U.S. and Israel assess that Hezbollah possesses around 150,000 rockets capable of reaching anywhere in Israel, along with drones designed to evade Israeli defenses and precision-guided munitions.

In terms of military strength, Israel is equipped with one of the most advanced militaries globally and boasts a comprehensive missile defense system. It is also supported by a coalition led by the United States, which has previously enabled the interception of numerous missiles and drones launched from Iran earlier this year. Recently, the U.S. military has increased its forces in the region.

Israel has pledged a severe response in the event of a full-scale war, which would likely result in significant damage to critical civilian infrastructure, particularly in southern Beirut and southern Lebanon where Hezbollah’s primary strongholds are. Such a conflict could result in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people across both nations.

Hezbollah maintains close ties with Iran, which has issued threats of retaliation after the killing of senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in a blast in Tehran last month, an act widely attributed to Israel, although Israel has not confirmed its involvement.