Netanyahu promises Hezbollah will 'get message' after 'unimaginable' Israeli strikes
What's the story
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has assured that the Hezbollah terror group will get Israel's message after the military said it has launched about 400 attacks on southern Lebanon since Saturday afternoon. In a video statement, Netanyahu revealed, "Over the past few days we hit Hezbollah with a string of strikes that it didn't imagine." He further promised, "If Hezbollah didn't get the message, I promise you, it will get the message."
Security measures
Netanyahu vows to restore security, return displaced residents
Netanyahu also expressed his determination to ensure the safe return of displaced northern residents to their homes. He stated, "No country can tolerate [rocket] fire at its residents, [rocket] fire at its cities." The prime minister emphasized that the State of Israel cannot tolerate such actions either. Reiterating his commitment, he promised that Israel "will do everything necessary in order to restore security."
Targeted strike
Top Hezbollah commanders assassinated in Israeli airstrike
On Friday, Israel executed a targeted airstrike on a residential building in Beirut, assassinating top Hezbollah commanders Ibrahim Aqil and Ahmed Wahbi. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that Aqil was overseeing a planned operation to invade Galilee. This strike followed an attack last week that killed 30 members of Hezbollah in Lebanon, which was attributed to Israel but not confirmed by official sources.
Counterattacks
Israel retaliates to Hezbollah's rocket attacks with airstrikes
In response to Israel's attacks, Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets across the border overnight on Sunday, with some landing near the city of Haifa. The initial rocket attacks by Hezbollah involved 140 rockets fired in three waves at sites along the border with Lebanon, reportedly in retaliation to Israeli strikes on villages and homes in southern Lebanon.
Casualties
Israeli strikes claim lives in Lebanon and Gaza Strip
Lebanon's health ministry reported that three people were killed in separate Israeli strikes on south Lebanon. Hezbollah announced the death of one fighter, without specifying the location. The group has vowed to respond against Israel over a series of bombings that targeted Hezbollah members' pagers and walkie-talkies on Tuesday and Wednesday, killing at least 37 individuals, including two children, and injuring approximately 3,000. The strikes were largely blamed on Israel, which has neither confirmed nor disputed responsibility.