In view of the increasing threat from the Iran-backed organization Hezbollah, the Israeli army carried out a series of air strikes in Lebanon on Sunday. In response to these attacks, Hezbollah also carried out 320 simultaneous attacks on Israel with drones and targeted 11 of its military bases. Taking responsibility for the attack, Hezbollah said that it had attacked in response to the killing of its military commander Fuad Shukr.
All the attacks by Hezbollah have been carried out in northern Israel. Hezbollah has also announced retaliatory action against Israel. In retaliation, Israel has also carried out air strikes on more than 100 targets in Lebanon. A 48-hour emergency has also been declared in the country. Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant are constantly monitoring the situation in Tel Aviv.
America said Israel has the right to self-defense
According to a report by news agency Reuters, Hezbollah said it attacked specific military targets as well as Israel’s Iron Dome platform and other sites, but a full retaliation would take some time. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant spoke to his US counterpart Lloyd Austin after the IDF launched preemptive strikes.
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“We have carried out precision strikes in Lebanon to thwart an imminent threat against the Israeli people. We are closely monitoring developments in Beirut, and we are determined to use all means at our disposal to protect our citizens,” Galant was quoted as saying by the Times of Israel.
Amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, White House National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said US President Joe Biden is “closely monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon. Biden remained engaged with his national security team throughout the evening. At his direction, senior US officials are in constant communication with their Israeli counterparts. We will continue to support Israel’s right to self-defense and we will continue to work for regional stability.”
If they harm us, we will harm them – Netanyahu
At the start of the security cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “This morning we learned of Hezbollah’s plan to attack Israel. After conferring with the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief-of-Staff, we instructed the IDF to launch action to eliminate the threat. Since then, the IDF has been taking strong action to thwart the threats. The IDF has destroyed thousands of rockets fired towards northern Israel. Citizens of Israel, I request you to follow the instructions of the IDF Home Front Command. Whoever harms us – we will harm them.”
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A befitting reply to Hezbollah
According to local Israeli media, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently leading a high-level meeting at an undisclosed location in view of the escalating tensions in the north. The IDF reported that it learned that Hezbollah was preparing to launch “missiles and rockets” towards Israeli territory.
In response to the threats, Israel fired 40 air-to-surface missiles against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Calling it a “self-defense action”, IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagri said, “As a self-defense action to address these threats, we are striking terrorist targets in Lebanon from where Hezbollah was planning to launch its attacks on Israeli civilians.”