Hezbollah launches major rocket barrages into Israel in retaliation for Beirut strikes

Hezbollah launched approximately 250 rockets from Lebanon into Israel, according to the Israeli military, in what constitutes one of the most intense bombardments Israel has experienced since the escalation of hostilities in September. Israel’s police reported that these attacks resulted in injuries to several individuals and damage to structures in both northern and central parts of Israel, including some areas close to Tel Aviv. These rocket attacks occurred after an Israeli air strike in central Beirut on Saturday, which the Lebanese health ministry stated killed 29 people. Concurrently on Sunday, Israeli media extensively reported progress toward a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, aimed at concluding the conflict with the Iran-backed militia, Hezbollah. Subsequent to accounts of substantial rocket fire originating from Lebanon, Israel’s police confirmed receiving reports of rocket fragments landing in the vicinity of Tel Aviv. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that a direct impact in a specific neighborhood resulted in “houses in flames and ruins.” Israeli media indicated that rockets struck Petah Tikva, located near Tel Aviv, as well as several northern locations including Haifa, Nahariya, and Kfar Blum. Hezbollah, which had previously pledged to retaliate for assaults on Beirut by targeting Tel Aviv, asserted that it had fired precision missiles at two military installations within and around the city. Subsequently, the IDF announced the completion of strikes against 12 Hezbollah command centers in Dahieh, a known stronghold for the organization situated in Beirut’s southern suburbs. On Sunday, Lebanon’s health ministry revised the death toll from a significant Israeli strike on central Beirut, which was launched without prior warning, from 20 to 29. The ministry also reported that 84 individuals had been killed across the country on Saturday. The IDF has refrained from commenting on the Saturday attack; however, Israeli media outlets reported at the time that the strike was an attempt to assassinate Mohammed Haydar, a senior Hezbollah official. Israel’s declared objective in its conflict with Hezbollah is to facilitate the return of approximately 60,000 residents who have been displaced from their homes in northern Israeli communities due to the group’s assaults. According to Lebanese authorities, over 3,670 individuals have died and at least 15,400 have been injured in Lebanon since October 2023, with more than one million people having been displaced from their residences. Israel has escalated its operations against Hezbollah during the last two weeks. On Sunday, the Israeli public broadcaster Kan, referencing Israeli and US officials, reported that Israel had approved moving forward with a US-proposed ceasefire agreement with Lebanon, though it noted that certain disagreements persisted.