Israel carried out dozens of airstrikes on Thursday across southern Lebanon in one of the most intense bombardments since Hezbollah began daily cross-border attacks on northern Israeli communities following the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, according to Lebanese security sources.
The Israeli military reported that fighter jets targeted over 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon, which were primed for immediate attacks on Israel. In total, the military said the launchers contained around 1,000 launch barrels. Several Hezbollah buildings and a weapons depot were also struck during the assault.
The airstrikes, which began in the afternoon and continued in several waves, are part of ongoing efforts to degrade Hezbollah’s military capabilities, according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). “The IDF continues to damage and degrade the terror capabilities and military infrastructure of the Hezbollah terror organization,” the military said in a statement.
In response to the heightened threat, the IDF issued safety guidelines for civilians in northern Israeli communities, including Merom HaGalil, Upper Galilee, and Mevo’ot HaHermon Regional Councils, as well as towns in the Golan Heights from Katzrin and northward. Residents have been advised to stay close to bomb shelters, limit outdoor movement, avoid large gatherings, and guard the entrances to their communities until further notice.