Smoke and fire rise from the site of an alleged Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese border village of Mahmoudiyeh on September 19, 2024. (Rabih Daher/AFP)
On Thursday evening, Israel launched a series of significant strikes across southern Lebanon, with Lebanese security sources describing them as some of the most intense bombings since Hezbollah began daily cross-border attacks on northern Israeli communities following the start of the Gaza war on October 7, reported The time of Israel.
The Israeli military reported that fighter jets had struck over 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon, all primed for immediate attacks on Israel. These launchers included around 1,000 rocket barrels in total.
Additionally, several Hezbollah buildings and a weapons depot were hit in multiple areas of southern Lebanon.
The strikes, carried out in several waves, began in the afternoon.
“The IDF continues to damage and degrade the terror capabilities and military infrastructure of Hezbollah,” the Israeli military added. Following the strikes, the IDF issued guidelines for civilians in northern Israeli communities, urging them to stay close to bomb shelters.
The heavy airstrikes followed a barrage of rockets fired from Lebanon into northern Israel and came as the Israeli defense establishment stepped up preparations for a potential all-out war with Hezbollah.
Earlier on Thursday, two Israeli soldiers were killed, and nine others wounded in Hezbollah missile and drone attacks. Meanwhile, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah vowed revenge during a televised address, accusing Israel of orchestrating deadly explosions targeting Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon and Syria earlier this week.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, assessing the situation, referred to it as “a new phase in the war.” He stated that Israeli strikes would continue to fulfill the war’s newly defined objective: the safe return of displaced northern residents to their homes.
The Home Front Command issued new instructions for several northern areas, including the Golan Heights and Upper Galilee, advising residents to minimize movement and stay near shelters.
“Our military operations will continue,” Gallant said, adding that Hezbollah would face mounting consequences. Simultaneously, Israel remains focused on dismantling Hamas and securing the return of hostages in Gaza.
As tensions escalate, the Israeli military has been presenting various plans to the political echelon to avoid expanding the conflict into a regional multi-front war. Despite Hezbollah’s threats, Israel has not acknowledged responsibility for the communication device explosions that killed dozens of Hezbollah operatives.
The coming days are expected to remain intense as the IDF stays on high alert.
