On Thursday, the Israeli military carried out a significant series of airstrikes against Hezbollah, marking one of the most intense bombardments of the year. Reports indicate that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted around 30 rocket launchers, 150 nests, military infrastructure, buildings, and a weapons warehouse belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
According to a post by the IDF on X, “Under the direction of IDF intelligence, the IAF struck approximately 30 Hezbollah launchers and terrorist infrastructure sites, which included around 150 launcher barrels ready to fire projectiles toward Israeli territory.” The statement also noted that additional strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and a weapons storage facility in various locations across southern Lebanon.
For the first time since the conflict began, the IDF directly instructed residents in northern Israel to limit their movements, avoid gatherings, secure village gates, and stay near protected areas, bypassing the usual communication through local authorities.
These directives were issued to residents in Merom Galil, Upper Galilee, Mevo’ot Hermon, Yesod HaMa’ala, Hazor, Rosh Pina, Safed, Metula, and northern Golan communities following an updated assessment of the situation.
The airstrikes took place shortly after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah declared that “retribution will come” to Israel in response to attacks on Hezbollah’s pagers and walkie-talkies, which resulted in several casualties and thousands of injuries.
Nasrallah claimed that Israel had crossed a “red line” following bombings—widely attributed to Israel—that triggered the remote detonation of hundreds of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria.
In response, Israel’s defense minister, Gallant, stated that Hezbollah “will pay an increasing price” as Israel works to establish safe conditions near its border with Lebanon, allowing residents to return to their homes.
“Our goal is to ensure the safe return of Israel’s northern communities to their homes. Over time, Hezbollah will pay an increasing price. The sequence of our military actions will continue,” Gallant stated.
In light of the recent explosions that targeted Hezbollah members’ pagers and walkie-talkies, the U.S. State Department has advised American citizens in Lebanon to maintain a low profile and enhance their security awareness.
The U.S. Embassy in Beirut issued alerts to the American community in Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, reiterating previous guidance to consider leaving the country and reinforcing the State Department’s warning against all travel to Lebanon.
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