In a significant assault, Hezbollah targets Israel, unleashing hordes of rockets and drones.
Hezbollah initiated a major retaliation, declaring so in response to the demise of its top military commander, who met his end in an Israeli air strike in Beirut on July 30th. This move marked their initial response to Fuad Shukr's death.
Hezbollah claimed to have dispatched over 320 Katyusha rockets from Lebanon towards "hostile positions" in Israel, labeling the operation a "success." Following this, they announced: "Today's military operation has come to an end." Later in the day, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was expected to deliver a speech on the "current developments."
Israel reported that Hezbollah launched "numerous" rockets and drones. The attack was part of a larger, premeditated operation, which was largely prevented by preemptive strikes, stated army spokesman Nadav Schoschani.
Israeli army reports indicated that around 100 fighter jets were utilized in preemptive strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The majority of the numerous rocket launchers in southern Lebanon were aimed at northern Israel, while some also targeted the nation's central regions.
Prior to the Hezbollah attack, the Israeli army stated it was monitoring preparations for a "large-scale" Hezbollah assault, and bombings of militia positions in southern Lebanon. The attacks were intended to "neutralize threats against the citizens of Israel," explained army spokesman Daniel Hagari.
Following the Hezbollah attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to "take all necessary measures" to safeguard his country. "The fundamental principle remains: whoever harms us, we retaliate," he said during a meeting of his security cabinet.
Preliminary reports suggested no injuries or damages in Israel. The government imposed a 48-hour emergency situation. Flights at the Ben Gurion International Airport were momentarily halted.
Three casualties were reported in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks, including an Amal militant group fighter linked to Hezbollah.
Since the commencement of hostilities in Gaza following a large-scale attack by the radical Islamic Hamas against Israel on October 7, conflicts along the Israeli-Lebanese border have also escalated significantly. Daily, Hezbollah shells northern Israel from Lebanon, prompting Israeli retaliation against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
The Iran-supported Houthi rebels in Yemen expressed support for Hezbollah's attack and announced their own response to an Israeli attack on an essential Yemeni port in July. The Houthis, like Hamas and Hezbollah, view themselves as part of an Iran-backed "resistance axis" with the objective of dismantling Israel. Hamas also applauded Hezbollah's attacks, referring to it as a "slap in the face" to Israel.
Simultaneously, US Secretary of State Lloyd Austin reiterated "America's unwavering commitment to Israel's defense against any attacks by Iran and its regional allies and proxies," according to the Pentagon, during a phone call with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant.
Meanwhile, negotiations in Cairo were ongoing between Israel and Hamas concerning a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza. Some progress has been made, but no conclusive agreement yet.
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Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah, being a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Party, addressed his followers during the speech about the "current developments." Despite being a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Party, Hezbollah's response to Fuad Shukr's death involved launching numerous rockets and drones towards Israeli positions.
