Israeli Bombers Give Gaza Treatment to Lebanon; 100s of Sites Struck Overnight
Israeli airstrikes targeted around 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers, each capable of firing approximately 1,000 rockets at its territory.
Southern Lebanon, the stronghold of the Hezbollah group, may resemble the Gaza landscape after massive Israeli bombing and the impending ground assault.
Israeli forces launched a series of airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon on Thursday, hitting over 100 sites in a span of just 30 minutes, according to Israeli military sources.
The strikes targeted Hezbollah’s military infrastructure, including rocket launchers, observation posts, and logistics hubs. This escalation follows a series of cross-border exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, amid heightened tensions due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated that the airstrikes focused on Hezbollah’s rocket launchers, with around 100 systems, each housing approximately 1,000 rockets, set to fire on Israeli territory.
These strikes came after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened retaliation for recent Israeli operations in Lebanon. In his first public speech following a series of explosions earlier in the week, Nasrallah condemned Israeli attacks, accusing Israel of committing “massacres” that killed 37 people and injured over 3,000, while calling for continued military pressure on Israel.
Hezbollah’s communications infrastructure has been a key target for Israeli forces. Nasrallah claimed that while Israel destroyed some of Hezbollah's communication systems through hidden explosives, the group's overall command and communication remain intact. He added that Hezbollah would continue its cross-border attacks on Israel unless a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza, warning that displaced Israelis in northern border regions would not be allowed to return home.
The Israeli Air Force used F-16I, F-15I, and F-35I fighter jets in the overnight bombardments. These aircraft deployed GBU-31 guided bombs equipped with JDAM kits for high-precision strikes. According to Russian media reports, Israeli airstrikes primarily hit command centers, logistical facilities, and other key Hezbollah installations as part of preparations for a possible ground offensive in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah retaliated with anti-tank missile fire and drone strikes aimed at military targets in northern Israel, according to Lebanese media. The National News Agency of Lebanon reported that Israel launched at least 52 airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Thursday evening, while Hezbollah’s retaliatory attacks targeted military sites across the Israeli border.
The Israeli military had earlier issued warnings to civilians living near the Lebanese border, advising them to stay indoors and be prepared to enter bomb shelters if necessary. On Friday morning, Israel lifted some movement restrictions that had been imposed on northern communities, including parts of the Golan Heights. However, the IDF announced that military exercises would continue in northern Israel over the weekend, warning that nearby residents might hear explosions.
Nasrallah has warned that the recent Israeli strikes represent a "declaration of war," and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that Israel is now focusing more of its military efforts on the northern front. Gallant stated that this marks a new phase in the ongoing conflict, signaling an intensification of Israeli operations against Hezbollah.
While Hezbollah continues its attacks, the group has not yet demonstrated any significant new missile activity, despite previous announcements of retaliatory strikes. Israel's ongoing aerial campaign against Hezbollah remains unimpeded, as Hezbollah lacks air defense systems needed to counter Israeli tactical aviation.
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