Hezbollah announced today, June 25, the commencement of a large-scale operation against Israel, declaring it a direct response to the assassination of its senior military commander, Fouad Shukr, last month. The operation marks a significant escalation in hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, following a week of intensifying Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah assets in both Lebanon and Syria.
In a statement released Sunday morning, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching a series of drone and missile attacks targeting Israeli military installations deep within the country. The group described these strikes as the “first phase” of a retaliatory campaign. The initial barrage included the deployment of 320 Katyusha rockets aimed at Israeli positions, barracks, and Iron Dome missile defense platforms in northern Israel.
Hezbollah indicated that the targeted sites would be revealed in subsequent statements and warned that their operations would be prolonged. The group emphasized its heightened state of readiness, vowing severe retaliation should Israeli actions result in civilian casualties.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded with a series of airstrikes in southern Lebanon, which followed preemptive attacks launched earlier in the day. According to the IDF, these strikes aimed to neutralize Hezbollah’s preparations for a large-scale missile attack on Israel. The IDF reported that more than 150 rockets had been fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory, prompting air raid sirens in the Western Galilee region.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency session of the security cabinet this morning, with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declaring a 48-hour state of emergency. Flights to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport were delayed or redirected as the country braced for further Hezbollah retaliation.
The recent hostilities come after Israel conducted a series of airstrikes on Hezbollah-affiliated targets in Syria and Lebanon. Notably, Israeli forces struck several locations in the Homs and Hama governorates in Syria on Friday, allegedly targeting Iranian militia positions and Hezbollah-linked infrastructure. These strikes resulted in civilian casualties, according to Assad regime media, further inflaming regional tensions.
The assassination of Fouad Shukr, believed to have been orchestrated by Israel, has fueled Hezbollah’s vow for revenge. Shukr was a prominent figure within the group, closely linked to its military operations and strategic planning.
The international community has expressed concern over the potential for these escalating clashes to ignite a wider conflict, particularly given the involvement of Iran and its proxy forces across the region. The situation remains fluid, with both sides preparing for what could become a protracted and increasingly violent confrontation.
