News Brief
Kuldeep Negi
Aug 25, 2024, 01:50 PM | Updated 01:50 PM IST
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Hezbollah, a terror group based in Lebanon and backed by Iran, and Israel declared large-scale military operations against each other today (25 August).
Hezbollah said that it had launched "more than 320" Katyusha rockets aimed at key Israeli military locations.
The Israeli military responded to the threat by launching pre-emptive strikes on various targets in Lebanon.
The IDF stated on Sunday (25 August) morning that it had identified preparations by Hezbollah for "large-scale" attacks on Israeli soil.
In response, Israeli Air Force jets were deployed to neutralise these threats, concentrating on Hezbollah positions that posed an immediate risk to Israeli civilians.
Israel said that its fighter jets had targeted and destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers located in southern Lebanon, which were intended to strike northern and central Israel.
"Approximately 100 IAF fighter jets ... struck and destroyed thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels that were located and embedded in southern Lebanon," an Israeli military statement read.
"Most of these launchers were aimed toward northern Israel and some were aimed toward central Israel," it added.
The escalation follows weeks of increasing tension, during which Hezbollah and its regional ally, Iran, vowed revenge for the assassination of their military commander, Fuad Shukr, last month. Hezbollah described the attack on its commander as a direct provocation and an act of war.
Kuldeep is Senior Editor (Newsroom) at Swarajya. He tweets at @kaydnegi.