Israeli Air Force fighter jets are currently bombing targets associated with the terrorist organization Hezbollah, which poses an imminent and significant threat to the population of the State of Israel, IDF Spokesman Daniel Hagari said early Sunday. According to available information, Hezbollah was planning to launch approximately 6,000 rockets and missiles at Israel when the IDF launched a preemptive strike. Following the attacks, and in accordance with the assessment of the situation by the IDF Home Front Command, guidelines will be issued for the safety of the population in certain areas of Israel. As part of the latest assessment of the situation, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared a nationwide internal emergency. The declaration of a state of emergency will enable the IDF to issue specific instructions to the population, limit public gatherings and close sites in the affected areas.
“Recently, the IDF identified that the terrorist organization Hezbollah was preparing to launch missiles and rockets toward Israel,” Hagari said. “In an act of self-defense to neutralize these threats, the IDF is striking terrorist targets in Lebanon, from where Hezbollah was planning to launch its attacks against Israeli civilians. This follows more than 6,700 rockets, missiles and explosive drones fired by Hezbollah at Israeli families, homes and communities since October 8. Hezbollah will soon launch rockets, and possibly missiles and drones, toward Israeli territory. We will shortly update the Home Front Command’s defensive guidelines for those inside Israel,” the IDF spokesperson added.
The preemptive action against Hezbollah was approved in overnight discussions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv. The security cabinet met this morning at 7:00. Sources in Lebanon reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) hit around 40 targets. Meanwhile, sirens sounded in several towns in the Upper Galilee. Several explosions were reported, but fortunately no injuries were reported. Following the IDF announcement, residents in the conflict zones and Golan Heights towns were advised to stay close to shelters. Hezbollah fired around 210 rockets and 20 drones toward northern Israel during this morning’s attack, the IDF reported. The Israeli military explained that some of the projectiles were intercepted, while others hit their targets, causing damage and injuries.
Many rockets also fell in uninhabited areas. In an earlier statement, Hezbollah said it had “fired more than 320 Katyusha rockets into Israel.”describing a large-scale attack supported by a “large number of drones.” Hezbollah, after announcing that the military operation against Israeli positions had been “concluded” with a massive rocket and drone attack, also denied claims that Israel had repelled the attack. “Our military operation today was concluded successfully, and Israel’s claims against the resistance are baseless.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Security Cabinet: “We are determined to do everything to defend our country, to bring the people of the north safely back to their homes, and to continue to uphold one simple rule: if someone harms us, we will harm them in return.”
