Hezbollah launched a large-scale attack on Israeli positions on Sunday, firing rockets and drones in what it described as an “initial response” to the killing of a top commander. This action follows pre-emptive strikes by Israel against the group.
Hezbollah stated, “We have launched over 320 Katyusha rockets towards enemy positions,” targeting 11 Israeli bases and barracks, including those in the annexed Golan Heights. The group also announced it had initiated an air attack, deploying a significant number of drones deep into Israeli territory.
The Iran-backed group has regularly exchanged fire with Israel in support of its ally Hamas since the Palestinian militant organization’s attack on October 7, which ignited the Gaza war. Concerns of escalating conflict intensified after Iran and Hezbollah pledged to retaliate for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, and for an Israeli strike that took the life of Fuad Shukr, a prominent Hezbollah commander, in south Beirut.
Hezbollah characterized its recent attack as an “initial response” to Shukr’s death. The group claimed that the “first phase has ended with total success,” indicating that this phase aimed to “target Israeli barracks and positions to enable the passage of attack drones to targets” deep inside Israel.
There was no immediate confirmation from the Israeli military regarding these events.
Hezbollah also stated it was “in a high state of readiness,” warning that “if civilians are harmed, there will be very severe punishment.”
Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported Israeli strikes on multiple locations in southern Lebanon, while Beirut’s international airport continued operations normally.
Since the onset of cross-border violence in October, more than 600 people in Lebanon have lost their lives, most of whom were Hezbollah fighters, along with at least 131 civilians, according to an AFP tally.
On the Israeli side, authorities have reported at least 23 soldier fatalities and 26 civilian deaths, including casualties in the annexed Golan Heights.
