Israel strikes Hezbollah in Lebanon after detecting ‘large-scale attack’

State of emergency declared after IDF jets hit ‘terror targets’ and Hezbollah responds with drone strikes

The Israeli military struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday after claiming the group had been planning a “large-scale attack”.
Iranian-backed Hezbollah replied with drone attacks and said it was responding to the killing of its top commander in a Beirut suburb last month.
Hezbollah said it targeted an identified “special military target as well as Israel’s Iron Dome platforms and other sites” but that the full response would take “some time”.
The group said it had completed the “first phase” of its retribution and claimed it had hit 11 targets, fired more than 320 Katyusha rockets and sent drones into Israeli airspace.
Israel’s defence minister on Sunday morning declared a state of emergency, calling the assault a “special situation on the home front”.
In a statement, the Israeli military accused Hezbollah of “preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory” and warned that that Hezbollah’s actions could lead to wider regional escalation. 
Since October 7th, Hezbollah, the Iranian-Backed Lebanese terror organization, has been firing more the 8,000 rockets against Israel, displacing up to 65,000 Israelis from their homes. This morning in a self-defense act to remove Hezbollah’s threat, the IDF is striking targets… pic.twitter.com/jI7ASWxsIC
“‏In a self-defence act to remove these threats, the (Israeli military) is striking terror targets in Lebanon, from which Hezbollah was planning to launch their attacks on Israeli civilians,” Israeli military spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said.
Sirens are sounding in northern Israel and flights to and from Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv have been suspended, though they are expected to resume on Sunday morning. 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was convening an urgent meeting of Israel’s security cabinet.
Lebanese media reported strikes in the country’s south without immediately providing more details. Social media footage showed what appeared to be strikes in southern Lebanon.
In his statement, Rear Adm Hagari said: “We can see that Hezbollah is preparing to launch an extensive attack on Israel, while endangering the Lebanese civilians.”
‘In a self-defense act to remove these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon, from which Hezbollah was planning to launch their attacks on Israeli civilians.’@IDF Spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, regarding Hezbollah’s plans to attack Israel pic.twitter.com/KEIzG0pXWA
He did not provide additional details on the intelligence he cited.
”‎‏We warn the civilians located in the areas where Hezbollah is operating to move out of harm’s way immediately for their own safety,” he said.
The military also warned Israelis to expect incoming missiles and drones launched by Hezbollah.
In an Arabic-language message addressed to the residents of southern Lebanon, the military said: “We are monitoring Hezbollah’s preparations to carry out large-scale attacks on Israeli territory near your homes. You are in danger. We are attacking and eliminating Hezbollah threats.
“Anyone who is near areas where Hezbollah operates should leave immediately to protect themselves and their families,” the message posted on Telegram continued.
In a separate statement, the military said its jets were striking targets in Lebanon “that posed an imminent threat” to Israelis.
Fears have been high in recent weeks that the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip could escalate into a regional conflict after an Israeli strike killed a senior Hezbollah commander and a suspected Israeli assassination operation in Iran killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
A White House national security spokesperson said Joe Biden has directed American officials to “continuously” communicate with Israel and that the US will “keep supporting Israel’s right to defend itself”.