Hezbollah responded to Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon on Thursday, the second consecutive day of heavy rocket and drone attacks on Israel, in an intensified conflict that raised fears of a full-scale war.
It was unclear how many weapons Hezbollah fired Thursday, but the group’s al-Manar broadcaster reported at one point that more than 100 people had been shot in a simultaneous, coordinated attack targeting several Israeli military installations. Hezbollah said this included several drones targeting Israel’s northern military headquarters.
Israel’s military said in the afternoon that Hezbollah had fired more than 40 rockets across the border, but the barrage continued into the evening. Hours later, the military did not update the number, but a military spokesman said it was the most serious attack since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October. He didn’t immediately explain.
Israel’s military and its emergency service, Magan David Adom, said at least four people were wounded in Thursday’s attack. The military said in the afternoon that its air defenses had shot down several of the weapons, but that some had penetrated. Attacks and counterattacks ignited wildfires on both sides of the border.
Thursday night, Arab news agencies An Israeli airstrike in the Lebanese town of Jannatah, a few miles from the coastal city of Tyre, destroyed a house, caused several casualties, and set it on fire.
On Tuesday, an Israeli strike targeted and killed Taleb Abdullah, one of the senior commanders of Hezbollah, the powerful armed group and political wing backed by Iran. The group vowed to step up attacks on Israel in retaliation.
On Wednesday, according to the Israeli military, Hezbollah fired more than 200 rockets into Israel, but they did little damage.
The Israeli military said Thursday that its warplanes struck “Hezbollah military structures” in Lebanese border villages overnight.
After the October 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel and Israel’s retaliation in the Gaza Strip, Hezbollah stepped up its attacks against Israel, which responded with artillery and airstrikes in Lebanon.
Almost daily strikes have forced more than 150,000 Israelis and Lebanese living near the border to flee their homes.
Israeli officials have threatened to take strong action against Hezbollah. But so far both sides have stopped fighting in full swing.
Mr. Killing Abdullah, it said he had “planned, promoted and carried out numerous terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens”.
The United States, France and other mediators, warning of the risk of a regional war, have sought to advance a diplomatic solution between Israel and Hezbollah that could restore peace on both sides of the border. But analysts say a deal is unlikely until Israel’s eight-month campaign in Gaza lasts.
Israel invaded Lebanon in 1978, 1982, and 2006, each time pushing back militant groups that carried out attacks inside Israel.
Jonathan Reyes Contributed report.
