Hezbollah Targets Tel Aviv as Israel Launches Retaliatory Airstrikes
Hezbollah launched a missile at Tel Aviv early Wednesday, marking the first time the group has targeted central Israel in the current round of fighting. The missile, reportedly a Qadr 1, was intercepted by Israel’s David’s Sling defense system before causing any damage. Hezbollah said the attack targeted the Tel Aviv headquarters of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, and framed it as retaliation for the assassination of several of its leaders and the recent pager and communications attack. In response, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) quickly identified the launch site in Nafakhiyeh, Lebanon, approximately 20 kilometers from the Israeli border, and conducted airstrikes on the area.
This attack is part of a broader escalation in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. Rocket sirens were heard not only in Tel Aviv but also in northern areas of Israel, including Zikhron Ya’akov, south of Haifa, as multiple rockets were fired into the Menashe, Mount Carmel, and Wadi Ara regions. No casualties were reported in these areas. In central Israel, the Magen David Adom emergency medical service confirmed that nine people were lightly injured while running to shelters.
In a separate incident, a drone crossing from Syria into Israeli airspace was intercepted by the Israeli Air Force south of the Sea of Galilee. Pro-Iranian militias in Iraq later claimed responsibility for the drone attack.
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A wave of Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon followed Hezbollah’s missile launch at Tel Aviv. Extensive strikes targeted areas in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley. According to Israeli media reports, a Hezbollah residential complex was hit in Jiyeh, and a strategic facility of the Israel Electric Corporation was targeted but remained undamaged due to protective measures.
The IDF issued a stark warning in Arabic to Lebanese residents who had evacuated their homes, advising them not to return due to ongoing military operations. IDF spokesperson Avichai Adraee emphasized the continued threat posed by Hezbollah’s weapons and infrastructure, warning civilians to stay away from areas where the group operates.
Meanwhile, according to Israel’s KAN News, Brig. Gen. (res.) Ilan Biton, former head of Israel’s Air Defense Division, has warned that while Israel’s missile defense systems are effective, they are not foolproof. “The system is not airtight,” Biton said, stressing that more missiles from Lebanon may evade interception, making it crucial for people to follow safety protocols.
The UN Security Council is scheduled to convene later on Wednesday to discuss the situation, as concerns grow over the possibility of a broader regional conflict. Slovenia, which holds the rotating presidency of the council, announced the meeting to address the intensifying violence between Israel and Hezbollah.
In the aftermath of Wednesday’s missile launch targeting the Tel Aviv area, flights were briefly canceled at Ben-Gurion International Airport, although normal operations resumed by mid-morning.
