IDF responds after Hezbollah fires new barrage at Israel with rockets and drones

The Israeli military said on Thursday (Jun 13) that its fighter jets struck Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon's Deir Seryan.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that suspected drone infiltration sirens that sounded in the Golan Heights in the evening were triggered by three targets that were identified. According to the military, the three targets, possibly drones, were downed by air defences.

IDF said on X that the "fighter jets recently attacked a military structure of the Hezbollah terrorist organization in the Al-Jarmal area in southern Lebanon".

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It added, "Further to the warnings that were activated in the north of the country at 20:01 for fear of the infiltration of a hostile aircraft, this is a false identification."

It also said thatafter the alerts that were activated at 20:14 pm (local time) in Yeara, two missiles were detected that crossed the territory of Lebanon and fell in open areas, there are no casualties.

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This came hours after Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group said it fired a new wave of rockets and drones at the Israeli army, which is said to be a retaliation of an Israeli strike that killed one of its senior commanders.

The Israeli army confirmed thatabout "40 projectiles were launched toward the Galilee and Golan Heights area" by Hezbollah. It also noted that most were intercepted while others ignited fires.

Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, has targeted Israel frequently ever since the Gaza war started on October 7. However, the latest was the largest simultaneous attack.

In a statement, the group said that Hezbollah fighters launched "an attack with rockets and drones, targeting six barracks and military sites" while simultaneously flying "squadrons of explosive-laden drones" at three other Israeli bases.

One of the targets included an Israeli base that Hezbollah said housed an intelligence headquarters "responsible for the assassinations".

Hezbollah said the attacks were "part of the response to the assassination" of Hezbollah commander Taleb Abdallah on Tuesday.

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The cross-border exchanges have escalated in the past few weeks, with Hezbollah stepping up its use of drones to attack Israeli military positions, forcing Israel to retaliate.

While speaking at the funeral of Abdallah, atop Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine vowed on Wednesday that the group would "increase the intensity, strength, quantity and quality of our attacks".

The Israeli army confirmed it carried out the strike that "eliminated" Abdallah on Tuesday, describing him as "one of Hezbollah's most senior commanders in southern Lebanon".

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(With inputs from agencies)