Hezbollah claims to hit ‘eyes of the state’ of Israel; IDF strikes several terror targets in response

Hezbollah terror forces launched several rocket barrages toward Israel on Saturday in what it claimed to be retaliation for the assassination of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut last week. 

Over 40 rockets, projectiles and drones were launched into Israel throughout the day, targeting several military sites, including an Israeli Air Force (IAF) base in Meron, often referred to as the “eyes of the state”. 

The Hezbollah terror group claimed responsibility in an official announcement: "We carried out 62 launches in response to the killing of al-Arouri.” 

At least four waves of attacks were detected throughout the day, and there were reports of impacts at the Mt. Meron Nature Reserve. No injuries were reported. 

Hezbollah later released a video showing two rocket or mortar attacks hitting the base. The terror group said the Meron base is "a main center for electronic jamming operations in the northern sector," and that it houses "many soldiers and officers.” 

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah had promised a “punishing” response to Arouri’s assassination. 

“We declare that this crime will not go unpunished and that the hands of the resistance are on the trigger and its forces are on high alert,” an official statement by the group said immediately after Arouri’s death. 

Nasrallah also claimed that Hezbollah could not remain silent without endangering Lebanon. 

“We cannot remain silent on a violation of this magnitude because it means the whole of Lebanon would be exposed,” he stated. 

The IDF conducted several strikes in Lebanon in response to the attacks.

“IAF fighter jets struck two Hezbollah military compounds, which contained significant assets for the terrorist organization. One of the compounds struck was used by the Hezbollah’s Surface-to-Air Missile Unit,” according to an IDF statement.

IAF fighter jets and IDF troops struck a series of Hezbollah terror targets.

מטוסי קרב של חיל-האוויר וכוחות צה"ל נוספים תקפו מוקדם יותר היום שורת מטרות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה במרחבים עייתא א-שעב, ירון ורמיה בדרום לבנון.
בין המטרות שהותקפו: עמדת שיגור, מבנים צבאיים ותשתיות טרור. pic.twitter.com/v4sY4MA6p2

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) January 6, 2024

The IDF announced: “Earlier today, fighter jets of the Air Force and other IDF forces attacked a series of targets of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the areas of Aita al-Sha'ab, Yaron and Ramya in southern Lebanon. Among the targets attacked: a launch site, military buildings and terrorist infrastructure.”

“Hezbollah’s ongoing terrorist activity and attacks against Israel violate UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The IDF will continue to defend its borders from any threat.” 

Late Saturday night, Hezbollah issued a warning to the residents of southern Lebanon, instructing them to stay away from the sites the IDF had struck.

“Stay away from the IDF's attack areas, do not approach them and do not gather near them,” the statement said, claiming that Hezbollah has the responsibility to protect the lives of its citizens.

The group also announced the elimination of several Hezbollah members, saying that 153 operatives have been killed since Oct. 7.