Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon After Nasrallah's Threats: 10 Key Facts

Beirut/Tel Aviv – In a significant escalation of violence, Israeli fighter jets launched a series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Thursday, targeting Hezbollah strongholds. The strikes followed closely on the heels of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s vow to exact “tough retribution” on Israel for recent attacks against his group. Lebanese security sources have described these airstrikes as the fiercest yet since the start of cross-border hostilities on October 7.

Here are the key points in this unfolding conflict:

1. Intense Airstrikes Target Hezbollah PositionsIsraeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that over 100 rocket launchers, which were primed for imminent attacks on Israel, were destroyed. These launchers, positioned throughout southern Lebanon, contained an estimated 1,000 rocket barrels. Several Hezbollah-controlled buildings and a weapons depot were also obliterated in the strikes.

2. Nasrallah’s Retaliation ThreatsJust a day before the strikes, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah made his first public appearance since the October 7 conflict began. In a fiery address, he accused Israel of killing 37 Hezbollah operatives and injuring nearly 3,000 by detonating communication devices. Nasrallah described the attacks as a “massacre” and vowed harsh retribution. He ominously warned Israel that Hezbollah would strike “where it expects and where it does not.”

3. Nasrallah’s Speech Amid Jet FlyoversWhile Nasrallah delivered his speech, Israeli jets flew over Beirut, breaking the sound barrier and underscoring Israel’s readiness for further escalation. The speech took place as tensions reached new heights across Lebanon and Israel’s northern front.

4. Israel’s New War PhaseIsraeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared that the conflict had entered a “new phase,” expanding from the Gaza war to the northern border with Lebanon. Gallant emphasized that Israel was prepared for heightened conflict with Hezbollah and that the group would continue to face severe consequences for its attacks.

5. Hezbollah’s Support of HamasHezbollah, backed by Iran, has been a key ally of Hamas, the Palestinian group at the center of the Gaza war. The conflict has increasingly spilled over into a regional confrontation, with Hezbollah launching regular attacks on Israeli border communities and drawing retaliatory Israeli airstrikes.

6. Civilians Flee Amid Ongoing ViolenceThe fighting has prompted mass evacuations on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border. Tens of thousands of civilians have fled their homes as communities along the northern front hunker down under strict military guidelines. Residents are advised to remain close to bomb shelters and limit outdoor movements due to the ongoing rocket fire.

7. Hezbollah Faces Heavy ConsequencesGallant’s statements also hinted at a shift in Israel’s strategy toward Hezbollah. He noted that while there were “significant opportunities” in this new phase of the war, there were also “significant risks.” Gallant reiterated that Hezbollah would continue to pay a “heavy price” for its aggression.

8. Hezbollah’s Rocket Barrage and Israel’s ResponseThe Israeli airstrikes followed a major rocket attack by Hezbollah, targeting Israeli communities in the north. In the border town of Metula, extensive damage was reported, with several homes destroyed and fires ignited by the barrage. Despite the destruction, Israeli authorities reported no casualties.

9. Calls for Restraint from the International CommunityU.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged restraint from both sides, calling on Israel and Hezbollah to avoid actions that could lead to further escalation. The Biden administration has been working to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, but the growing conflict with Hezbollah presents an additional diplomatic challenge.

10. Regional Condemnation of Israel’s AirstrikesLebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib condemned the Israeli strikes, calling them a “blatant assault on Lebanon’s sovereignty.” He warned that the situation risked spiraling into a broader regional conflict. Meanwhile, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, a key supporter of Hezbollah, vowed a “crushing response” to Israel’s actions.

As the conflict widens, both Israel and Hezbollah appear to be bracing for a prolonged confrontation, raising fears of a broader war that could engulf the region. International calls for de-escalation have so far failed to curb the violence, and the situation remains volatile.