Early Sunday, the Israeli military announced it had conducted preemptive strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. The strikes were based on intelligence suggesting that the militant group was preparing an attack. In a video posted on X, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari justified the strikes as an act of “self-defense” to “remove these threats.”
Hezbollah responded by launching rockets and drones into Israel on Sunday. The group stated that the action was in retaliation for the killing of one of its senior commanders in July. Israel’s military reported that Hezbollah fired “over 150 projectiles” toward Israel.
The escalation of violence comes at a time when Egypt is hosting a new round of cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group. These talks aim to broker a cease-fire in Gaza after nearly 11 months of conflict, which started with a surprise attack on Israel on October 7. Delegations from Israel and international mediators, including the U.S., were in Cairo for discussions scheduled to resume on Sunday.
In a statement during his weekly cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the strikes against Hezbollah were not “the end of the story,” according to the Times of Israel. Netanyahu added that the operation was “another step on the path to changing the situation in the north and returning our residents safely to their homes.” He also addressed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, indicating that Israel’s actions were a clear signal of its intent to secure its northern region.
Iran has been a significant supporter of both Hezbollah and Hamas, providing them with financial resources and weaponry. In a public address, Nasrallah explained that Hezbollah had delayed its retaliatory attack against Israel due to recent Israeli and U.S. military activity in the region, as reported by The Guardian. He specified that Hezbollah’s target was an Israeli military intelligence base near Tel Aviv, rather than civilian infrastructure, and stated that their attack commenced half an hour after Israel’s preemptive strikes.
The Lebanese health ministry reported that three people were killed in the strikes in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel’s military confirmed that an Israeli soldier aboard a Navy vessel was killed and two others were injured during the Hezbollah attack, according to the Times of Israel. In retaliation, the Israeli military stated it had targeted more than 40 Hezbollah positions and destroyed “thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels aimed for immediate fire toward northern and central Israel.”
Hezbollah and Iran had issued threats to attack Israel following the deaths of key figures last month: Hezbollah official Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Despite the rising tensions, officials in Israel, Lebanon, and other involved nations appeared cautious about letting Sunday’s hostilities escalate into a broader conflict.
Nasrallah mentioned that Hezbollah would “assess the impact of today’s operation” and hinted that further actions might follow if the group’s leadership deemed the initial attack insufficient. This ongoing threat underscores the volatile nature of the situation.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant had a discussion with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin about the critical need to avoid regional escalation and to collaborate on ensuring Israel’s defense and maintaining regional stability. In a separate statement, Austin expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defense and announced that two U.S. carrier strike groups would remain in the region in light of the renewed tensions.
The situation remains highly fluid, with both sides showing a readiness to engage further if necessary. The presence of U.S. military assets in the region reflects the seriousness with which Washington views the escalating conflict and its potential for broader regional implications. As of now, diplomatic efforts, particularly those being conducted in Cairo, will be crucial in determining whether this latest round of violence escalates or subsides.
