Israeli Jets Strike Lebanon As Hezbollah Launches Over 300 Rockets

Tensions between Hezbollah and Israel have sharply escalated, with both sides launching major military operations.

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, has claimed responsibility for launching over 320 Katyusha rockets at Israel, along with deploying several explosive drones targeting key Israeli military sites.

Photo Credit: PTI

This escalation is reportedly a direct response to the assassination of Hezbollah's military commander, Fuad Shukr, last month, which the group has described as an act of war.

In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) initiated pre-emptive strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.

According to an IDF statement, these operations are aimed at neutralising threats from Hezbollah, which they identified as preparing to launch large-scale attacks on Israeli territory.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets have been actively striking targets linked to Hezbollah that pose an "imminent threat" to Israeli civilians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened a security cabinet meeting, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has declared a state of emergency across the country for the next 48 hours.

This "special situation on the home front" gives the IDF Home Front Command expanded authority to impose civilian restrictions as needed.

As a precaution, Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport has announced delays and diversions of flights. Emergency services have also been put on high alert, anticipating further potential large-scale attacks from Hezbollah.

The United States, represented by National Security Council Spokesperson Sean Savett, has reiterated its support for Israel, stating, "We will keep supporting Israel's right to defend itself, and we will keep working for regional stability."

This latest flare-up adds to the ongoing hostilities in the region, following the devastating Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 civilians.

In response, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has led to the deaths of over 40,000 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza's health ministry.

The current conflict with Hezbollah threatens to escalate into a broader and more dangerous confrontation.