In a dramatic escalation that threatens to push the already volatile Middle East closer to conflict, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, claimed responsibility for firing 320 Katyusha rockets at 11 Israeli military sites on Sunday. In response, Israel conducted air strikes on southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah positions.
The Lebanese group stated that the rocket and drone attacks were retaliation for the recent killing of Fouad Shukur, one of their senior commanders, in Beirut. Hezbollah’s statement indicated that their strikes were aimed at “a significant Israeli military target,” including various enemy sites and Iron Dome defense systems.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli military pre-emptively struck Hezbollah sites, warning that the group was preparing a substantial attack on Israeli territory. Israel’s defense forces had detected plans for a heavy barrage of rockets and missiles from Hezbollah.
As the situation intensified, air raid sirens were activated in northern Israel, and Ben-Gurion International Airport diverted flights as a precautionary measure. The attack by Hezbollah coincided with ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has scheduled a Cabinet meeting to address the escalating situation. Despite the heightened aggression, Hezbollah has indicated it might cease fighting if a cease-fire agreement is reached.