Hezbollah Launches Retaliatory Attacks on Israel Following Assassination of Commander

Hezbollah has announced the successful completion of the first phase of its retaliatory attacks on Israel, following the assassination of its commander at the end of July.

On Sunday, Israel conducted a preemptive strike on southern Lebanon, claiming to have detected Hezbollah’s preparations to launch an attack on northern Israel.

This exchange marks a significant escalation in hostilities, with both sides engaged in intense cross-border attacks since the onset of Israel’s war on Gaza last October.

Hezbollah indicated that it has fired over 320 Katyusha rockets targeting 11 Israeli military bases and barracks, including significant sites in the occupied Golan Heights.

According to reports, Israel’s military operations mainly focused on the border region, extending up to five kilometers deep into southern Lebanon, which has become a militarized zone.

In response to the increased tension, Israel employed around 100 fighter jets to conduct airstrikes on numerous Hezbollah launch sites simultaneously before the planned Hezbollah assault.

The Lebanese National News Agency (NNA) reported that one individual was critically injured due to later Israeli drone strikes, while an airstrike in the town of Khiam resulted in one fatality.

In anticipation of further escalation, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared a nationwide ‘special situation’ for 48 hours starting from early Sunday morning.

These developments prompted temporary closures at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport, alongside reports of injuries among civilians in northern Israeli communities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s commitment to self-defense, stating that any aggression towards Israel would be met with retaliatory actions.

Despite Hezbollah’s assertion that its response signifies just the beginning of retaliation, indications suggest that a subsequent phase of escalation may not be immediate.

Regional analysts express concern that this ongoing conflict could swiftly spiral out of control, despite limited escalation thus far.

The escalating violence comes as diplomatic talks in Egypt aim to reach a conclusion to the prolonged conflict in Gaza, which has entered its 11th month.