Israel says it attacked southern Lebanon to 'preempt' a Hezbollah attack on northern Israeli towns. Watch to know more.Israel launches pre-emptive strikes on Lebanon

Israel launches pre-emptive strikes on Lebanon

Hezbollah says it has begun its response to the killing of the terror group’s military commander Fuad Shukr in an IDF strike last month.

Israel launches pre-emptive strikes on Lebanon, Hezbollah retaliates with drones

In a public address, Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah denies claims that the Israeli military destroyed thousands of the group's rocket launchers. Israel says no base was hit near Tel Aviv.

Main operation target was Israel's base near Tel Aviv: Hezbollah Chief

Hezbollah: 'We launched an attack in revenge for the killing of Fuad Shukr

The Israeli military on Sunday (Aug 25) launched pre-emptive strikes in Lebanon to prevent large-scale strikes from the terror outfit, Hezbollah. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they had detected preparations by Iran-backed Hezbollah to launch rockets and missiles..

Israel-Hamas war: IDF: Detecting large scale attacks by Hezbollah

100 Israeli jets swooped down on rocket launchers that were purportedly aiming to strike not just Northern border areas but as far as central Israel, including Tel Aviv.

Israel-Hezbollah Tensions: Israel-Hezbollah exchange deadly rocket and missile strikes

<p>Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Shia&nbsp;Islamist militant group&nbsp;Hezbollah, claimed in a speech on Sunday (August 25) that Israel's&nbsp;preemptive attacks in&nbsp;Lebanon had no impact on the&nbsp;retaliatory operations of Hezbollah.</p>

<p>"We delayed our operation amid a buildup of Israeli and US forces in the region, we could not afford failure, we also discussed retaliating together as a Resistance or separately, we also wanted to give enough time for ceasefire negotiations," he said in his televised speech.</p>

<p>"But since Netanyahu is having new demands for the ceasefire and negotiations are going nowhere, we decided to proceed," he added.</p>

<p>Nasrallah accused the United States of being complicit in Israel's actions. "The US is capable of pressuring Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire, but they won't, they are complicit in everything Israel does," he said.</p>

<p>Nasrullah claimed that&nbsp;all Hezbollah drones successfully entered Israeli airspace and&nbsp; added&nbsp;that the group had no intention of using precision missiles in Sunday's attack, but may deploy them in the near future.</p>

<p>He&nbsp;added that the Israeli military began strikes on&nbsp;Lebanon about 30 minutes before Hezbollah’s operation, but the targeted areas had nothing to do with the operation.</p>

<p>He added that Hezbollah's goals did not involve targeting civilians, despite Israel's attacks on civilians in Lebanon. "From the start, we had goals: no civilian targets, despite the fact that Israel is targeting civilians in Lebanon. We want to protect civilians in Lebanon, and this is why we did not target civilians in Israel. We decided that our targets will be military and have to do with the assassination of Sayyed Fouad Shukr, military intelligence, and the air force," Nasrallah stated.</p>

<p>He also mentioned that their primary target was the Gelilot base, which hosts the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate’s Unit 8200 and is located near Tel Aviv.</p>

<p>Nasrallah dismissed any claims that Hezbollah intended to hit civilian targets, stating, "Any narrative that we were going to hit civilian targets and that they preempted this is a lie. If any civilian was killed in this operation, it must have been from the enemy's interceptors."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hezbollah-trade-missiles-as-latest-flare-up-throws-west-asia-on-edge-top-points-753176">Israel, Hezbollah launch strikes as latest flare-up puts West Asia on edge</a></strong></p>

<p>He also rejected Israel's assertion that they targeted 6,000 rockets and drones, asserting, "Israel failed to hit any of Hezbollah's strategic or ballistic missiles."</p>

<p>"The time assigned for the operation was after Fajr prayer at 5:15 am. All missile and drone launchers were set and programmed the night before. Our launchers were north of the Litani river, south of it, and also&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;Beqaa. Israel's preemptive strike had no impact on Hezbollah's retaliatory operations," he said.</p>

<p>The Israeli military claimed that Hezbollah was planning to launch rockets and missiles toward Israel. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), around 100 fighter jets "struck and destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels" at over 40 sites.</p>

<p>Earlier, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a video posted on X, formerly Twitter, "A short while ago, the IDF identified the Hezbollah terrorist organization preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory. In a self-defense act to remove these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon."</p>

<p>Hezbollah confirmed that it had successfully launched the "first phase" of an attack on Israeli military positions in response to the assassination of Fuad Shukr, one of Hezbollah's top commanders, in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut in July.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Shia Islamist militant group Hezbollah, claimed in a speech on Sunday (August 25) that Israel's preemptive attacks in Lebanon had no impact on the retaliatory operations of Hezbollah.

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Shia Islamist militant group Hezbollah, claimed in a speech on Sunday (August 25) that Israel's preemptive attacks in Lebanon had no impact on the retaliatory operations of Hezbollah. "We delayed our operation amid a buildup of Israeli and US forces in the region, we could not afford failure, we also discussed retaliating together as a Resistance or separately, we also wanted to give enough time for ceasefire negotiations," he said in his televised speech. "But since Netanyahu is having new demands for the ceasefire and negotiations are going nowhere, we decided to proceed," he added. Nasrallah accused the United States of being complicit in Israel's actions. "The US is capable of pressuring Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire, but they won't, they are complicit in everything Israel does," he said. Nasrullah claimed that all Hezbollah drones successfully entered Israeli airspace and added that the group had no intention of using precision missiles in Sunday's attack, but may deploy them in the near future. He added that the Israeli military began strikes on Lebanon about 30 minutes before Hezbollah’s operation, but the targeted areas had nothing to do with the operation. He added that Hezbollah's goals did not involve targeting civilians, despite Israel's attacks on civilians in Lebanon. "From the start, we had goals: no civilian targets, despite the fact that Israel is targeting civilians in Lebanon. We want to protect civilians in Lebanon, and this is why we did not target civilians in Israel. We decided that our targets will be military and have to do with the assassination of Sayyed Fouad Shukr, military intelligence, and the air force," Nasrallah stated. He also mentioned that their primary target was the Gelilot base, which hosts the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate’s Unit 8200 and is located near Tel Aviv. Nasrallah dismissed any claims that Hezbollah intended to hit civilian targets, stating, "Any narrative that we were going to hit civilian targets and that they preempted this is a lie. If any civilian was killed in this operation, it must have been from the enemy's interceptors." Also read: Israel, Hezbollah launch strikes as latest flare-up puts West Asia on edge He also rejected Israel's assertion that they targeted 6,000 rockets and drones, asserting, "Israel failed to hit any of Hezbollah's strategic or ballistic missiles." "The time assigned for the operation was after Fajr prayer at 5:15 am. All missile and drone launchers were set and programmed the night before. Our launchers were north of the Litani river, south of it, and also in the Beqaa. Israel's preemptive strike had no impact on Hezbollah's retaliatory operations," he said. The Israeli military claimed that Hezbollah was planning to launch rockets and missiles toward Israel. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), around 100 fighter jets "struck and destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels" at over 40 sites. Earlier, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a video posted on X, formerly Twitter, "A short while ago, the IDF identified the Hezbollah terrorist organization preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory. In a self-defense act to remove these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon." Hezbollah confirmed that it had successfully launched the "first phase" of an attack on Israeli military positions in response to the assassination of Fuad Shukr, one of Hezbollah's top commanders, in an Israeli airstrike on Beirut in July. (With inputs from agencies)

Hezbollah leader Nasrallah blasts Israel, says preemptive strikes ‘had no impact’ on retaliatory operations

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Sunday's strikes in Lebanon were "not the final word" in his country's military campaign against Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.

Israel-Hezbollah Tensions: Israel in delivering painful blows to Hezbollah, says Netanyahu

The Iran-backed group Hezbollah claimed it had successfully struck 11 Israeli military sites using drones and more than 320 Katyusha rockets.

Israel-Hezbollah Tensions: Hezbollah claims 320 rockets launched on 11 Israeli sites

Israel-Hezbollah Tensions: Israel claims to thwart Hezbollah's 'massive' attack

Israel-Hezbollah Tensions: 'Operative Pre-emptive strike', Israel claims massive air assault

The White House said on Friday that cease-fire talks in Cairo have been constructive and will continue over the weekend as the US and Mideast allies continue to press Israel and Hamas to forge an agreement.

Gaza truce talks in Cairo, Egypt: Talks on three-phase plan outlined by Biden

Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and drones against Israel on Sunday in retaliation for the assassination of a senior commander in Beirut last month, the Iranian-backed movement said, as Israel's cabinet met to prepare a response.

Israel-Hezbollah Tensions: Israeli strikes targeted 40 compounds in South Lebanon, says IDF

Israel-Hamas war: Talks on three-phase plan outlined by Biden

Israel-Hezbollah Tensions: Launched more than 320 Katyusha rockets overnight, says Hezbollah

Israel-Hezbollah tensions: Netanyahu warns strikes in Lebanon 'not the final word'

The top US general C.Q. Brown began an unannounced visit to the Middle East on Saturday to discuss ways to avoid any new escalation in tensions that could spiral into a broader conflict.

Top US General makes surprise visit to West Asia amid regional tensions

Israel-Hezbollah tensions: IDF warns Israelis to expect drones, missile launched by Hezbollah

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister said that he is working to prevent his country from becoming embroiled in the Hezbollah-Israel conflict, even as there have been exchanges of cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israel.

Israel-Hezbollah tensions: Lebanese caretaker PM says, 'Working to ease tensions at border'

Israel-Hezbollah tensions: 100 fighter jets participated in pre-emptive strike, says IDF

Israel-Hezbollah tensions: Several thousand Hezbollah rockets and missiles destroyed, says IDF

Israel's longtime ally, the US is now repositioning its two destroyer warships in West Asia in anticipation of the Iranian attack on Israel. According to an US official one destroyer warship which has been repositioned was already there in the region while the other warship has been redirected there.

US moving naval forces closer to Israel: Report

Israel-Hezbollah tensions: 320 Katyusha rockets fired at Israel, says Hezbollah

<p>Israel launched pre-emptive strikes at Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday (August 24) after the Iran-backed militant group announced a large-scale operation against Israel. Hezbollah said that it launched "more than 320" Katyusha rockets towards Israel.</p>

<p>Israel said that the country's fighter jets attacked thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers in south Lebanon that were aimed at northern and central Israel.</p>

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<p>"Approximately 100 IAF fighter jets ... struck and destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels that were located and embedded in southern Lebanon," an Israeli military statement read. "Most of these launchers were aimed toward northern Israel, and some were aimed toward central Israel."</p>

<p>The current state of escalation comes after weeks of tension, with Hezbollah vowing to avenge the assassination of its military commander, Fuad Shukr, last month.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"In the context of the initial response" to the killing of Shukr, Hezbollah said it "began an air attack with a large number of drones" targeting deep into Israel. Hezbollah also targeted "a number of enemy positions and barracks and Iron Dome platforms... with a large number of rockets,"&nbsp;adding that "military operations will take some time to complete."</p>

<p>According to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has declared a state of emergency across the country for the next 48 hours.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This "special situation on the home front," as it is officially termed, grants the IDF Home Front Command expanded authority to impose restrictions on the civilian population.</p>

<p>"The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) identified the Hezbollah terrorist organization as preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory. In response to these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon," the Israeli military said in a statement. "Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets are currently striking targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization that pose an imminent threat to the citizens of the State of Israel."</p>

<p>As a precautionary measure, Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport announced delays and diversions of flights early Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>The United States responds&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<p>The United States said it would "keep supporting Israel's right to defend itself'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to US National Security Council Spokesperson Sean Savett, "At President Joe Biden's direction, senior US officials have been communicating continuously with their Israeli counterparts. We will keep supporting Israel's right to defend itself, and we will keep working for regional stability."</p>

<p>The current escalation follows increasing hostilities that began after Hamas'&nbsp;unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7 last year, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians. Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong><em>Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments in the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos, and videos.</em></strong></p>


Israel launched pre-emptive strikes at Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday (August 24) after the Iran-backed militant group announced a large-scale operation against Israel.

Israel launched pre-emptive strikes at Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Sunday (August 24) after the Iran-backed militant group announced a large-scale operation against Israel. Hezbollah said that it launched "more than 320" Katyusha rockets towards Israel. Israel said that the country's fighter jets attacked thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers in south Lebanon that were aimed at northern and central Israel. View this post on Instagram A post shared by WION (@wionews) × "Approximately 100 IAF fighter jets ... struck and destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels that were located and embedded in southern Lebanon," an Israeli military statement read. "Most of these launchers were aimed toward northern Israel, and some were aimed toward central Israel." The current state of escalation comes after weeks of tension, with Hezbollah vowing to avenge the assassination of its military commander, Fuad Shukr, last month. "In the context of the initial response" to the killing of Shukr, Hezbollah said it "began an air attack with a large number of drones" targeting deep into Israel. Hezbollah also targeted "a number of enemy positions and barracks and Iron Dome platforms... with a large number of rockets," adding that "military operations will take some time to complete." According to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has declared a state of emergency across the country for the next 48 hours. This "special situation on the home front," as it is officially termed, grants the IDF Home Front Command expanded authority to impose restrictions on the civilian population. "The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) identified the Hezbollah terrorist organization as preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory. In response to these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon," the Israeli military said in a statement. "Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets are currently striking targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization that pose an imminent threat to the citizens of the State of Israel." As a precautionary measure, Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport announced delays and diversions of flights early Sunday. The United States responds The United States said it would "keep supporting Israel's right to defend itself'. According to US National Security Council Spokesperson Sean Savett, "At President Joe Biden's direction, senior US officials have been communicating continuously with their Israeli counterparts. We will keep supporting Israel's right to defend itself, and we will keep working for regional stability." The current escalation follows increasing hostilities that began after Hamas' unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7 last year, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people, most of whom were civilians. Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments in the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos, and videos.

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