Israel: Israel attacks southern Lebanon, Hezbollah launches rockets at Israel
Hezbollah says it has successfully completed the first phase of a retaliatory attack on Israel in response to the killing of commander Fuad Shukr at the end of July.
Earlier on Sunday, Israel said it had launched airstrikes on southern Lebanon in a “preemptive” attack when it detected Hezbollah’s preparation to attack northern Israel.
While Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging tit-for-tat attacks across the border with some intensity since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October, this marks a significant escalation.
Hezbollah’s “response” was anticipated, coming as it is weeks after targeted killings of senior commanders in Hezbollah and its ally Hamas that were blamed on Israel.