Late last night, Hezbollah fired about 50 rockets from southern Lebanon towards Israel, more precisely towards the Upper Galilee, according to Israeli media.
After the missile launch, sirens sounded, and the Iron Dome defense system was activated.
Hamas and Iran vowed revenge for the killing of Palestinian resistance group political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh earlier this week in the Iranian capital Tehran, while Hezbollah vowed to respond to the killing of its commander, Fouad Shukr, in Beirut.
Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for the rocket barrage, citing it as a response to recent Israeli actions and the killing of senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. In a statement, Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah declared, “This is a warning to Israel. We will not stand idly by while our brothers are targeted. Our resistance is ready to defend our people and our land.”
The rocket attack and subsequent Israeli retaliation have heightened fears of a broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The United Nations and international community have expressed grave concern over the escalating violence. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged both sides to exercise restraint. “The current situation is extremely dangerous and could spiral out of control. We appeal to all parties to de-escalate and pursue dialogue,” Guterres said.
The U.S. and European Union also condemned Hezbollah’s rocket attacks and reiterated their support for Israel’s right to defend itself. “We stand with Israel in its right to defend its citizens against terrorism,” stated U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “We call on Hezbollah to cease its attacks and for all parties to work towards de-escalation.”
As tensions continue to rise, residents in both northern Israel and southern Lebanon brace for further violence. The international community remains on high alert, monitoring the situation closely and urging all parties to prioritize peace and stability in the region.
All-out war between Israel and Hezbollah is feared amid months of cross-border firefights.
The escalation comes amid Israel’s war in Gaza, which has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians since October, following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas.
