“The IDF struck in Lebanon and destroyed launchers aimed at Tel Aviv—before they could be activated. This morning (Sunday), shortly before 5:00 AM, IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Daniel Hagari announced that the IDF’s preemptive strike had been launched against targets from which Hezbollah intended to fire missiles and rockets towards Israel. Hagari stated that Hezbollah’s attack was expected ‘soon,’ and in southern Lebanon, there were reports of continuous airstrikes by the Israeli Air Force to disrupt the planned assault. The New York Times reported that ‘in the preemptive strike, Israel hit launchers that were scheduled to fire at Tel Aviv at 5:00 AM—all targets were destroyed.’ According to the report, Israel is preparing for a ‘severe response’ from Hezbollah.
About 45 minutes after Hagari’s pre-recorded statement, at 5:30 AM, rocket fire and UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) alerts began sounding in several communities in the Galilee, including Meron, Neve Ziv, and Avdon. Subsequently, sirens were heard in Acre and Ein Hamifratz, where residents reported a power outage due to a high-voltage line being hit by an interceptor. By around 6:00 AM, alerts were also heard in the Golan, Safed, and Ma’alot. There was a report of one person lightly injured by shrapnel in Acco.
Following the IDF statement, residents in the Galilee and Golan regions were instructed to stay near prepared shelters even before the attack, and reports were heard of numerous aircraft in the skies and the sounds of explosions. By 6:10 AM, over 150 launches towards Israel had been identified, most of which were intercepted.
The IDF’s preemptive strike received approval in discussions held throughout the night, and at this time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are at the Kirya, managing the situation from ‘the pit.’ The IDF is operating alone against the terrorist organization but in coordination with the U.S. military.
The Defense Minister has meanwhile declared a special state of emergency for the next 48 hours on the home front, and the Security Cabinet has been in session since 7:00 AM.”
Coordination with the U.S.:
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, discussing the need to prevent regional escalation. Gallant informed Austin that “we conducted a targeted strike in Lebanon to remove an immediate threat to Israeli citizens. We are closely monitoring the situation in Beirut and are determined to use all means at our disposal to protect our citizens.” Gallant’s office stated that the Defense Minister emphasized to his American counterpart that Israel’s security forces are committed to defending its citizens and will act with all available resources to remove immediate threats. The Pentagon reported that Austin reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to defending Israel against any attacks by Iran and its proxies in the region.
Hezbollah’s Response:
About an hour after the start of the Israeli offensive, Hezbollah issued an official statement declaring that the strike was a response to the assassination of Fuad Shukr, clarifying that they used a large number of drones and rockets, which were launched towards Israeli positions, Iron Dome sites, and a “military target” that would be announced later.
Later, Hezbollah released another statement, saying that “the first phase was successfully completed.” The statement read: “The first phase, which involved striking Israeli positions to ease the passage of attacking drones towards targets in the interior, has been completed. More than 320 rockets have been fired at enemy positions so far.” The sites attacked and hit by Hezbollah, according to their statement, include: Meron Base, Neve Ziv, Zaaton Base, Zaura, Kala in the Golan, an additional base (Al-Sahl), Nafah, Yoav Base, Jordan Base in the Golan, Ein Zeitim, and Ramot Naftali.
A senior security official recently commented that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah seeks to achieve three goals in response to Shukr’s assassination: deterring Israel from continuing assassinations of senior figures in the organization; creating a “geographical equation” whereby Beirut = Tel Aviv; and conducting an operation that would not trigger an Israeli response leading to a regional war.
IDF’s Response and Public Instructions:
After Hezbollah’s attack, IDF spokesperson Hagari issued another statement, announcing that the new Home Front Command guidelines impose restrictions on gatherings from the Dan region northwards. He stated that it is permissible to go to work and carry out educational activities as long as they are conducted in places with access to standard protected areas. “The Air Force continues to strike and remove threats in Lebanon,” Hagari said. “When we said we would do whatever it takes to protect the citizens of Israel—this is what we meant,” he added.
IDF’s Preemptive Strike Announcement:
In a pre-recorded video statement released shortly before 5:00 AM, IDF spokesperson Hagari said: “Dear citizens, a short time ago, we identified Hezbollah’s preparations to launch missiles and rockets towards Israel. In response, we are proactively striking to remove the threat to Israel’s citizens. Air Force planes are currently attacking terror targets in Lebanon from which we identified Hezbollah’s preparations to launch threats against our territory.”
Hagari continued: “In the near term, Hezbollah will launch rockets, and possibly missiles and drones, towards Israel. Accordingly, life-saving instructions from the Home Front Command will be distributed in various regions. The Home Front Command will update on which areas need to stay close to or within protected areas. Follow the updated instructions on the platforms of the IDF Spokesperson and the Home Front Command. Upon receiving an alert, you must enter the protected area for ten minutes. No less. We will update you if you need to stay there longer.”
“The Home Front Command’s alert system provides real-time warnings in areas where there is danger,” Hagari added. “The defense is not impenetrable, so it is essential to heed the Home Front Command’s instructions. You may hear explosions, either from interceptions or impacts. Continue to act responsibly and calmly, as you have done so far, and follow the Home Front Command’s instructions. Stay updated on the official pages of the IDF Spokesperson and the Home Front Command.”
In a statement translated into Arabic and distributed by the IDF Spokesperson in Arabic, Hagari said: “At this time, IDF forces are identifying, intercepting, and striking wherever necessary to remove threats and hit Hezbollah. We warn the Lebanese citizens in southern Lebanon—we identify that Hezbollah is now preparing to fire extensively into Israel from near your homes. You are in danger. We are attacking and removing Hezbollah threats. Anyone near areas where Hezbollah operates must immediately move away to protect themselves and their families.”
Managing the Threat:
Israeli officials stated that for now, the operation is limited to southern Lebanon, as Hezbollah had prepared to launch from there—hence the decision to remove the threat. Reports indicated continuous strikes in Qana, Beit Yahoun, Hadatha, Rashaaf, and Al-Tiri, some of which were targeted for the first time.
The IDF has been on high alert for an attack for several weeks, conducting extensive monitoring and intelligence gathering on Hezbollah. Movements of the terrorist organization were detected near short-range rocket launch areas, supported by intelligence indicating that this was not a routine operation by the organization. The IDF stated that this is likely Hezbollah’s response, possibly including Iranian involvement, to the recent assassinations.
“The Air Force was on immediate standby with a sophisticated action mechanism, and accordingly, we began operations to remove threats in every area we identified,” the IDF stated before Hezbollah launched its attack. “There are several such locations in southern Lebanon. We understand that we will encounter rockets, drones, and possibly missiles. We are likely to face various threats on the home front. Therefore, instructions were issued to the frontline communities in the Golan and Galilee to stay near protected areas, along with restrictive guidelines for farmers and the education system. We will have very strong home front defense.”
“We are in a joint situation assessment with the Home Front and Northern Commands, the Air Force, and Military Intelligence,” the IDF added. “We will update the public in real time. We will deal with rocket fire on the home front and likely with impacts. There are no unusual instructions for reservists; in the coming hours, we will issue further instructions to the public.”
Impact on Air Travel:
As a result of the developments, Israel’s airspace was partially closed, and all departures and landings at Ben Gurion Airport were postponed until 7:00 AM. However, operations continued as usual at Ramon Airport, with some landings redirected there—and others to Cairo. The Israel Airports Authority spokesperson stated: “Due to the security situation, this morning’s departures from Ben Gurion Airport will be delayed, and no flights will depart in the coming hours. Flights en route to Ben Gurion Airport will be diverted to alternate airports in the region. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for schedule changes.” Later, Ben Gurion Airport reopened for El Al flights.
Magen David Adom (MDA) spokesperson Zaki Heller stated that “in light of the security situation and after an assessment held by MDA Director Eli Bin, Magen David Adom has raised its alert level and is on high alert nationwide.” The Fire and Rescue Services reported that their readiness level “has been raised to the highest level.”
