Lebanon's Hezbollah has just launched a large-scale rocket and drone attack on Israel in response to the killing of a senior Lebanese commander.
According to The Times of Israel, the attack on Thursday afternoon is the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict at the Israeli-Lebanese border, which has been intensifying alongside the Gaza war.
Rising Tensions
The conflict between Hezbollah, backed by Iran, and Israel has been escalating for months, raising fears of a full-scale war.
Both sides claim to want to avoid such a war, and diplomats are actively working to deescalate the situation.
On Thursday, the sounds of sonic booms from Israeli jets breaking the sound barrier over several areas of Lebanon, including Beirut, added to the tension. This was the second consecutive day of such activity, as reported by Lebanon's National News Agency.
Retaliation
Hezbollah announced it had launched over 200 rockets and deployed numerous drones targeting 10 Israeli military sites.
This attack was in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah commander Mohammed Nasser in southern Lebanon on Wednesday. Nasser is among the highest-ranking Hezbollah commanders killed by Israel in this conflict.
An Israeli military spokesperson stated that Hezbollah's claims were "under review," and Israel's ambulance service reported no casualties.
The Israeli military confirmed it was striking launch sites in southern Lebanon and had intercepted many projectiles. Fires were reported in some areas due to drone debris and interceptor shrapnel.
Diplomatic Efforts
The United States is leading diplomatic efforts to reduce the fighting. According to Reuters, Hezbollah has stated it will not cease fire as long as Israel continues its offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The conflict has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes on both sides of the frontier.
Amos Hochstein, a senior U.S. official, has been in talks with French officials to restore peace. A White House official stated that France and the United States aim to resolve the conflict diplomatically, allowing civilians in Israel and Lebanon to return home safely.
Ongoing Conflict
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday that Israeli forces are hitting Hezbollah "very hard every day" and are ready to take any necessary action against the group, though a negotiated arrangement is preferred.
Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel on Wednesday in response to Nasser's killing.
Hezbollah began targeting Israeli positions along the Lebanese border after its ally Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, expressing its support for the Palestinians.
As reported by Reuters, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have, as of now, killed over 300 Hezbollah fighters and around 90 civilians.
Israel reports that fire from Lebanon has killed 18 soldiers and 10 civilians.
