Hezbollah launched over 100 rockets into northern Israel early Sunday, targeting areas near Haifa in a significant escalation of hostilities. In response, Israel conducted hundreds of airstrikes across Lebanon, raising fears of an all-out war.
The attack prompted air raid sirens throughout northern Israel, forcing thousands of residents to seek shelter. The Israeli military reported that many rockets targeted civilian areas, marking a dangerous shift from previous strikes aimed at military positions. One rocket hit close to a residential building in Kiryat Bialik, injuring at least three people and causing fires.
Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported one death and another injury from an Israeli strike near the border. This escalation follows a devastating Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday, which killed at least 45, including a prominent Hezbollah leader and many civilians.
The Israeli military confirmed it targeted around 400 militant sites in southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours to prevent a larger attack. In addition, Israel intercepted several aerial devices launched from Iraq after Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Israel. As a precaution, Israel’s Health Ministry announced that hospitals in northern areas would relocate operations to secure spaces within their facilities.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified since the outbreak of the Gaza war nearly a year ago, with Hezbollah firing rockets in solidarity with Hamas. This ongoing violence has led to numerous fatalities on both sides, displacing thousands. While neither side seems eager for a full-scale war, tensions remain high, with Hezbollah indicating a willingness to escalate its actions unless a ceasefire in Gaza is established—a prospect that remains uncertain amid stalled negotiations.
Hezbollah has also claimed responsibility for using newly introduced Fadi 1 and Fadi 2 missiles to target the Ramat David airbase near Haifa, describing this as retaliation for previous Israeli attacks that caused civilian casualties. An Israeli airstrike on a densely populated Beirut building resulted in significant civilian casualties and targeted a top Hezbollah official, with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant asserting that the operation disrupted Hezbollah’s command structure.
