Israeli Air Force Strikes Targets in Lebanon, Hezbollah Retaliates With Drone Attack

New Delhi: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday, August 25, carried out preemptive strikes on Lebanon, with an aim to eliminate terror targets. The IDF called it a 'self-defence act'.

The Israeli military said that it was a step to mitigate the looming threat from Iran-backed terror outfit Hezbollah. The (IDF) stated that they detected that Hezbollah  "was planning to launch their attacks on Israeli civilians.”

In a video message posted on X, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated, “In a self-defence act to remove these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon, from which Hezbollah was planning to launch their attacks on Israeli civilians.”

It is learnt that the residents in the areas of southern Lebanon, from where Ian-backed group Hezbollah operates, were warned of the strikes beforehand and asked to “leave immediately.” 

Hezbollah Retaliates With Drone Attack

Following the Israeli assault, Hezbollah also fired over 150 projectiles from Lebanon toward Israeli territory. Claiming responsibility for the attack, Hezbollah said that it initiated the strike as a response to the killing of its military commander, Fuad Shukr.

In a separate post on X, the IDF confirmed attack launched towards Israel. "Hezbollah has just launched over 150 projectiles from Lebanon toward Israeli territory. We target terrorist infrastructure, they target civilians," the IDF tweeted.

The Lebanon-based terror group stated it attacked an identified "special military target as well as Israel's Iron Dome platforms and other sites but that the full response would take some time," as per a global news agency.

Flight Services in Tel Aviv Hit

Meanwhile, in the wake of the airstrikes, flight services at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport were impacted.

As per media repots, flights to and from Ben Gurion Airport have been suspended. The airport began diverting incoming flights and delaying others due to takeoff Sunday after the Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon.

Emergency Situation Declared in Israel

Additionally, Israel's cabinet is scheduled to convene at 7 am local time (0400 GMT) for a meeting. Meanwhile, Israel Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared an emergency situation in the country for the next 48 hours.

After IDF's preemptive strikes, Gallant spoke with his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin.

Sources said, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently heading a high-level meeting at an undisclosed location to address the escalating situation in the north.

Earlier in the day, Israel launched 40 air-to-surface missiles against the terror outfit in southern Lebanon.

"Fighter jets are now attacking targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organisation that pose an immediate threat to the Israeli home front," the IDF stated in an official statement.

"Following these attacks and in accordance with the assessment of the situation held by the Home Front Command, life-saving instructions will be distributed in some areas of the country," it added.