Overnight, a barrage of rockets was launched into northern Israel from Lebanon, as Hezbollah targeted military and industrial sites, according to the Israeli army. Most of the 105 rockets were intercepted, although several hit homes, causing air raid sirens to sound across the region.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility, stating the attack was in retaliation for last week’s incidents involving pagers and walkie-talkies. Meanwhile, Israel continued its strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, following a deadly airstrike in Beirut on Friday that reportedly killed 12 senior Hezbollah commanders. Lebanese authorities reported that 37 people, including three children, were killed.
Unverified footage circulating online appears to show a fire in a residential area near Haifa, likely caused by a Hezbollah rocket. In response to Hezbollah’s activities, Israel launched a series of extensive airstrikes on southern Lebanon, with dozens of fighter jets targeting areas where Hezbollah was preparing to fire into Israel.
The conflict escalated after earlier strikes this week, which killed 39 people in Lebanon and injured thousands when pagers and walkie-talkies, allegedly used by Hezbollah, exploded. Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, blamed Israel for these attacks, accusing it of crossing “all red lines” and promising retaliation. Israel, however, has not claimed responsibility.
As tensions mount, the IDF expanded restrictions in northern Israel, limiting gatherings and enforcing safety protocols. Communities near Haifa and northward, as well as parts of the southern Golan Heights, are now subject to these restrictions.
Fears of a broader conflict have led to new travel advisories. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut urged its citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial flights are still available, warning that assistance may be limited for those who choose to remain. Jordan’s foreign ministry issued a similar advisory to its citizens.
Cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah intensified following the October 8 escalation, which began a day after the Hamas attack on Israel. Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced a “new phase” in the war, with a focus on northern operations, and Israel has added the return of displaced residents from the north to its list of war objectives.