First Time Since Ceasefire, Hezbollah Strikes Israel, IDF Hits Back With 10 Consecutive Attacks On Lebanon

Tehran: Hezbollah has reportedly joined the conflict amid the already heightened tensions in the Middle East on Monday, a day after Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the architect of the country's anti-US stance, was killed in the joint military operation, carried out by the United States and Israel. In retaliation, Israel launched a barrage of strikes on Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, after the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah fired missiles across the border.

This comes hours after Hezbollah said in a statement that it will fulfill all duties ‘in confronting aggression.’

Hezbollah Launches Missiles 

According to reports, Hezbollah said in a statement that the strikes were carried out in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, and for “repeated Israeli aggressions.” Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for launching projectiles towards Israel, citing retaliation for the killing of Khamenei.  

Thousands of Hezbollah supporters had gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Sunday to mourn Iran’s supreme leader, chanting “death to America, death to Israel”. 

Israel Retaliates 

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that the Lebanese militant ‌group Hezbollah was responsible for the rocket fire launched from Lebanon, making it the first instance of the group firing on Israel since the US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into force in November 2024. The ceasefire had ended more than a year of fighting between Israel ​and Hezbollah that had culminated in Israeli strikes that severely weakened the Iran-backed group. ‌Since then, the sides have ​traded accusations over violations.

The IDF said that it is striking Hezbollah targets across Lebanon in retaliation. According to IDF, Hezbollah is operating on behalf of the Iranian regime, opening fire against Israeli civilians.  

 The ​Israeli military added in a follow-up statement that ⁠it intercepted a launch using the Iron Beam Laser System, while other ⁠projectiles fell in open areas. No injuries or ‌damage were reported, the military said. IDF troops have prepared for such a scenario as part of operation ‘Roaring Lion’, and are prepared for an all-fronts scenario, they added in a statement. 

Lebanese PM Condemns Attacks On Israel

The Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned the attacks on Israel this morning. In a statement on X, he said, “Regardless of the party standing behind it, the launching of rockets from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act that endangers Lebanon's security and safety and provides Israel with pretexts to continue its attacks on it.”

“We will not allow the country to be dragged into new adventures, and we will take all necessary measures to stop the perpetrators and protect the Lebanese,” the statement added. 

The IDF said that it is striking Hezbollah targets across Lebanon. According to IDF, Hezbollah is operating on behalf of the Iranian regime, opening fire against the Israeli civilians.  IDF troops have prepared for such a scenario as part of operation ‘Roaring Lion’, and are prepared for an all-fronts scenario, they added in a statement. 

The Middle East continues to face significant escalation as the US and Israel launched coordinated military strikes against Iran on Saturday. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israeli territory and US bases, causing substantial casualties on all sides.

(With agency inputs)