Israel conducts strikes on Lebanon sites to hinder an anticipated "extensive" offensive by Hezbollah.
The Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called for a meeting of the Security Cabinet on a Sunday morning, as per his office's announcement.
The military suggests that individuals in proximity to areas where Hezbollah operates should promptly evacuate for their own safety and that of their families, as they shared via the Telegram messaging service.
In a subsequent statement, the Israeli military disclosed that its air force was striking objectives in Lebanon that posed an "immediate threat" to Israeli citizens. According to military spokesperson Daniel Hagari, in a video message, Hezbollah was expected to imminently launch rockets and potentially drones into Israeli territory soon.
Hezbollah was reportedly planning a "comprehensive assault on Israel," directly targeting the homes of Lebanese civilians located in the southern part of the country, as stated by Hagari. He warned that the relentless aggression of Hezbollah might provoke a broader escalation, potentially involving the populations of Lebanon, Israel, and the entire region.
The hostilities between the pro-Iranian Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Israeli army have intensified dramatically since the initiation of the conflict in Gaza following Hamas' major offensive against Israel on October 7. Since then, Hezbollah has been launching almost daily attacks into Israel from Lebanon, and Israel retaliates with strikes on Hezbollah targets located in Lebanon.
In the wake of the assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah's top military commander, Fuad Shukr, in late July, apprehensions of an escalation of the conflict are at an all-time high. Iran and its allies have expressed intent to retaliate against Israel.
The Commission has expressed concerns about the escalating tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, as stated in a recent press release.
In response to the threats from Hezbollah, The Commission has proposed strengthening the Israeli border defenses and enhancing the country's missile defense systems, as recommended in their latest report.
