The Lebanese group Hezbollah said it targeted an Israeli base in Haifa as retaliation for the killing of Iranโs Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. In a statement, Hezbollah said the attack was โin defence of Lebanon and its people and in response to the repeated Israeli aggressions.โ
The group said that Israelโs โfifteen-month-long aggressionโ and the assassination of leaders gives them the right to defend themselves at the right time and place.
IDF responds with strikes across Lebanonย
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it has begun striking Hezbollah targets throughout Lebanon in response to the missile fire. The IDF said, โHezbollah is destroying the state of Lebanon. The responsibility for escalation lies with it. The IDF will respond forcefully to this attack. Our forces are prepared for a multi-arena scenario and to confront any threat to the State of Israel.โ
The IDF added that Hezbollah operates under the Iranian regime and is targeting Israeli civilians, while bringing danger to Lebanon itself. Israeli forces are carrying out strikes as part of Operation โRoaring Lionโ, prepared for all-fronts combat if necessary.
Missiles fired from Lebanon
The attacks came on Sunday, two days after coordinated US and Israel military strikes on Iran. Several missiles were fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel, prompting the IDF response. Israel stated it would not allow Hezbollah to โpose a threat to the State of Israel or harm residents of the northโ and vowed to respond decisively to any attacks.
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