The Israeli military launched “extensive” air strikes in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley in response to a ballistic missile fired by Hezbollah, which reached Tel Aviv for the first time, according to Israeli officials. The missile was intercepted by Israel’s defense system, marking an escalation in the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it was targeting Hezbollah positions and weapons storage sites across Lebanon, following the missile launch and after 40 projectiles were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. “Several projectiles were intercepted,” the IDF stated, while warning sirens blared across northern Israel. The military accused Hezbollah of targeting Israeli civilians and facilities, describing the group’s attacks as acts of terrorism.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing the ballistic missile, identified as a ‘Qader 1,’ at the Mossad headquarters on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. The group said the attack was in retaliation for Israeli strikes that had killed numerous people in Lebanon, including a senior Hezbollah commander, Ibrahim Qubaisi.
The Iran-backed Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets at Israel over recent days, as nearly a year of clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border intensified dramatically.
Israel’s airstrikes this week, which have focused on Hezbollah commanders and key targets, have killed more than 500 people and wounded over 1,800 across Lebanon, according to local officials.
Three Killed in Israeli Strike Near Beirut
Lebanese officials confirmed that three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the village of Maaysra, north of Beirut. The strike was one of many carried out by Israel as it targeted Hezbollah positions deep within Lebanon.
Amid the escalating violence, the United Nations has called for an urgent meeting to address the conflict.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres voiced concern over the situation in Lebanon, warning that the country is on the brink of collapse and could spiral into chaos similar to Gaza.
Half a million people have been displaced in Lebanon, according to Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, and thousands of civilians are sheltering in schools and other buildings in Beirut after fleeing southern Lebanon.
Israel Targets Hezbollah, Claims Significant Damage
The Israeli military said its air force had struck dozens of Hezbollah launch sites and weapons storage facilities in southern Lebanon, and vowed to continue the offensive.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Hezbollah has suffered significant losses but cautioned that the conflict could take time to resolve.
“Hezbollah has endured a series of severe blows to its command structure, its fighters, and its capabilities,” Gallant told Israeli troops.
Hezbollah Still Operational Despite Strikes, Says Lebanese Ex-General
Former Lebanese Brigadier General Hisham Jaber dismissed Israeli claims that Hezbollah’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Jaber said Hezbollah remains operational and has not fully deployed its military strength. He argued that Israel’s airstrikes have not effectively neutralized Hezbollah and added that a ground offensive by Israel is unlikely, given the current geopolitical context.
