Israel launches attack on Lebanon

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The Israeli military carried out a wave of air strikes on southern Lebanon early Sunday morning, in what it said was an attempt to prevent a “widespread attack” on Israel by the militant group Hezbollah.

Israel began its attack at around 5 a.m. local time, deploying about 100 jets to target thousands of missile launchers at about 40 sites in Lebanon, after identifying what the military said were preparations by the Iran-backed Hezbollah force “to fire missiles and rockets” at Israel.

Shortly afterwards, Hezbollah said it had fired more than 300 Katyusha rockets into Israel, in the largest clash between the militant group and Israel since a 34-day war in 2006.

Hezbollah said its attack was in retaliation for the assassination by Israel of Fuad Shukr, one of Hezbollah’s most senior commanders, last month in an airstrike in Beirut.

Shukr’s assassination, which followed the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran the following day, prompted both Hezbollah and Iran to vow retaliation against Israel, raising concerns that the region could be sliding toward all-out conflict.

Hezbollah said its attack targeted 11 military targets in northern Israel and the occupied Golan Heights, sending air raid sirens ringing across the region.

They later added that their military operation for the day was complete. They said that “Israeli claims of pre-emptive actions, successful targets and their foiling of the attack are empty accusations and contradict the facts on the ground” and will be refuted in a speech by group leader Hassan Nasrallah, due to be released later today.

Lebanon’s state news agency said Israeli airstrikes hit a large number of targets in the south of the country, mainly areas near the border, but some also struck further inland.

Images published by local media showed smoke rising above several forested areas and villages along the border, with some outlets reporting between 35 and 40 Israeli air strikes.

In Israel, Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv temporarily suspended flights before reopening. Israel’s emergency services raised the alert level to the highest nationwide level, but said they had no immediate reports of casualties.

The gunfight comes as Egypt prepares to host the latest round of talks aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The United States and Arab states see the talks as the best chance to prevent a full-scale war in the region.

US President Joe Biden is “closely monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon,” according to the White House.

Biden’s Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant late Saturday night “to discuss Israel’s defense capabilities against Hezbollah attacks in Lebanon,” the Pentagon said.

In recent weeks, Washington has deployed additional warships and fighter jets to the region to deter Hezbollah and Iran, while also helping protect Israel.

Gallant declared a “special situation” across Israel, giving him powers to limit gatherings and restrict access to certain areas, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting at 7 a.m.

“We are determined to do everything to protect our country, to bring the people of the north back home safely and to continue to uphold one simple principle: Whoever harms us, we will harm them,” Netanyahu said.