26 August 2024: Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah announced on Sunday that it had launched 320 rockets deep into Israel as part of the “first stage” of its response to the assassination of its leader, Fuad Shukur, by Israeli forces.
The statement from Hezbollah followed an Israeli airstrike on southern Lebanon, which the Israeli army termed a “preemptive strike,” claiming it was necessary to prevent Hezbollah from launching an offensive.
Hezbollah, however, declared that its initial phase of retaliation had been successfully completed. “The first stage of our response to Shukur’s assassination has been accomplished,” the group announced. “This phase involved targeting Israeli military barracks and sites to facilitate the passage of offensive drones deep into the Israeli entity. These drones have successfully reached their intended targets.”
Hezbollah further elaborated that over 320 Katyusha rockets had been fired, striking key Israeli military positions. Among the 11 sites targeted were significant bases such as Meron, Zaatoun, Al-Sahl, Nafah, Yarden, and Ein Zeitim, along with several camps including Kela, UF, Ramot Naftali, Neve Ziv, and Zarura in northern Israel.
The group also highlighted that the drone strikes coincided with attacks on various Israeli military sites, barracks, and the Iron Dome missile defense systems in northern occupied Palestine. These coordinated efforts underline Hezbollah’s determination to defend Lebanon and retaliate against aggression.
In response, the Israeli army acknowledged the preparations made by Hezbollah for the rocket and missile launches, stating, “We have detected Hezbollah’s preparations and have launched attacks to eliminate the threat.” As a precautionary measure, Israeli authorities temporarily halted all flights to and from Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv.
The situation escalated further as Israeli fighter jets conducted over 40 airstrikes on 17 locations in southern Lebanon, prompting ambulances to rush to the affected areas. Eyewitnesses reported a barrage of rockets and drones being launched from Lebanon towards Israel, leading to air raid sirens sounding across several cities in northern Israel.
This latest escalation is deeply intertwined with the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israel’s military campaign has resulted in the tragic loss of over 40,300 Palestinian lives, leaving much of the region in ruins. Hezbollah’s response reflects its steadfast commitment to resisting occupation and defending Lebanon’s sovereignty against continuous Israeli aggression.
