Israel has launched “pre-emptive” airstrikes in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah, with the militant group saying it has responded by firing drones and hundreds of rockets.
Warning sirens sounded in northern Israel and explosions were heard as the military’s Iron Dome aerial defence system shot down missiles from southern Lebanon.
Flights to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport were also suspended – although the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) says it is now safe to re-open.
Sunday’s attack came as Egypt hosts a new round of talks aimed at ending Israel’s war against Hamas, now in its 11th month.
In a statement, the IDF accused Hezbollah of “preparing to file missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory”.
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“We conducted pre-emptive strikes after seeing Hezbollah starting to get ready to attack us. We will do all it takes to protect Israel, ” said Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.
“This morning we identified Hezbollah preparations to attack Israel,” said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Since then, the IDF has been taking strong action to foil the threats. It has eliminated thousands of rockets that were aimed at northern Israel. It is thwarting many other threats and is taking very strong action – both defensively and offensively.
“We are determined to do everything to defend our country, to return the residents of the north securely to their homes and to continue upholding a simple rule: Whoever harms us – we will harm them.”
Hezbollah has issued a statement saying it has completed the “first phase” of its attack, after reportedly launching 320 Katyusha rockets and hitting 11 Israeli military sites.
Israeli military Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi gathered with colleagues to direct Sunday’s attacks. Pic: IDF
The Iran-backed fighting group – designated a terrorist organisation by several countries including the UK – said its attacks were in retaliation for the killing of a top commander last month.
Fuad Shukr died in a strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
Mr Netanyahu previously described Shukr as “one of the most wanted terrorists in the world”.
Meanwhile, the Lebanese National News Agency described “enemy warplanes” causing “severe damage to property, crops, and infrastructure, especially the electricity and water networks”.
The escalation was predicted according to an assessment of Israeli intelligence by the country’s best-connected security correspondents.
Mr Netanyahu held a meeting early on Sunday with members of his cabinet about the attacks.
US defence secretary Lloyd Austin has also spoken with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant.
The Pentagon said he “reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s defence against any attacks by Iran and its regional partners and proxies”.
Hezbollah has said it will halt the fighting if there is a ceasefire in Gaza.
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