On Friday, Hezbollah launched 140 rockets at northern Israel, following a vow from the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, to retaliate for a mass bombing attack. The Israeli military reported that the rockets were fired in three waves during the afternoon, targeting locations along the troubled border with Lebanon. In response, Israel struck various sites in southern Lebanon aimed at Hezbollah infrastructure, though it did not disclose specific damage details.
Hezbollah claimed its rockets targeted multiple sites, including air defense bases and the headquarters of an Israeli armored brigade, marking the first strike on that location. The Israeli military indicated that 120 missiles were directed at areas such as the Golan Heights, Safed, and Upper Galilee, with some intercepted. Fire crews were deployed to extinguish fires caused by falling debris in various locations, but the military did not confirm any hits or casualties.
An additional 20 missiles were aimed at Meron and Netua, most landing in open areas with no reported injuries. Hezbollah stated that the attacks were in retaliation for Israeli strikes on southern Lebanese villages, following two days of incidents attributed to Israel that triggered explosives in Hezbollah’s communication devices.
On Thursday, Israel announced it had targeted hundreds of rocket launchers in southern Lebanon, which were reportedly poised for immediate use against Israel. Consequently, the Israeli military advised residents in parts of the Golan Heights and northern Israel to avoid public gatherings and stay close to shelters in anticipation of the rocket fire.
**Israeli Airstrike on Beirut After Hezbollah Attack**
In a related escalation, an Israeli airstrike on Beirut on Friday resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals and injuries to more than a dozen others, according to Lebanese health officials. This marked Israel’s first strike on the Lebanese capital in months, occurring after Hezbollah’s rocket barrage on northern Israel.
While Israel confirmed the strike, it did not specify the target within the densely populated southern suburbs of Beirut, an area dominated by Hezbollah. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported three fatalities and 17 injuries, with local networks airing footage of rescue efforts amid the ruins of a destroyed building during rush hour, when many were leaving work and students were returning home.
This escalation follows the promises of retaliation made by Hassan Nasrallah for the recent bombing attacks on Hezbollah communication devices.
