Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah and Israel both announced large-scale military operations against each other today. According to a statement from Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, "more than 320" Katyusha rockets were launched, targeting key Israeli military sites.
In response to the threat, the Israeli military initiated pre-emptive strikes on targets in Lebanon. The IDF announced these strikes early Sunday, stating that they had detected preparations by Hezbollah for "large-scale" attacks on Israeli territory. Israeli Air Force fighter jets have been deployed to neutralise these threats, focusing on Hezbollah positions that posed an immediate danger to Israeli civilians.
Israel said its fighter jets attacked thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers in south Lebanon that were aimed at northern and central Israel.
"Approximately 100 IAF fighter jets ... struck and destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels that were located and embedded in southern Lebanon," an Israeli military statement read. "Most of these launchers were aimed toward northern Israel and some were aimed toward central Israel."
This escalation comes after weeks of growing tension, with Hezbollah and its regional ally, Iran, vowing to avenge the assassination of its military commander Fuad Shukr last month. The group has called the attack on its commander as a direct provocation and an act of war.
"In the context of the initial response" to the killing of Shukr, Hezbollah said it "began an air attack with a large number of drones" targeting deep into Israel. Hezbollah also targeted "a number of enemy positions and barracks and Iron Dome platforms... with a large number of rockets", it said, adding that "military operations will take some time to complete".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened a security cabinet meeting at 0400 GMT today. According to a statement from Netanyahu's office, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has declared a state of emergency across the country for the next 48 hours. This "special situation on the home front," as it is officially termed, grants the IDF Home Front Command expanded authority to impose restrictions on the civilian population.
