Intense fire exchanges: IDF strikes 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers after 2 Israeli soldiers killed

The Israeli military and Hezbollah forces exchanged intense blows on Thursday and through the following night, after a relatively quiet period on Israel’s northern border in the immediate aftermath of the two waves of mysterious explosions that rocked Lebanon.

Lebanese reports described Thursday night’s massive Israeli Air Force(IAF) airstrikes against Hezbollah targets as the most intense and widespread since the terror group began attacking Israel last October.

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LEBANON NOW:

Airstrikes that haven’t been seen since the beginning of the war in response to the rocket barrage to Metula.

About 100 attacks so far, south Lebanon is on fire, dozens of launchers aimed at Israel were destroyed.

Dozens of fighter jets in the sky of S.Lebanon. https://t.co/3GPaQRCZnc pic.twitter.com/Q9ZbiaW9lx

— Voice From The East (@VoiceFromEast) September 19, 2024

After the second wave of communication device explosions hit Hezbollah operatives on Wednesday, the IDF said it carried out extensive airstrikes in seven regions simultaneously overnight.

On Thursday morning, two anti-tank missiles exploded on the Ramim Ridge, on the western border of the Upper Galilee, killing Sgt. Tomer Keren (20), a resident of Haifa serving in the Golani Brigade. Another eight soldiers were wounded.

At around noon, a Hezbollah drone exploded near Ya’ara in the Western Galilee, killing Maj. (res.) Nael Fwarsy (43), a logistics company commander in the 300th “Baram” Regional Brigade and resident of Maghar, and wounded another soldier.

Some hours later, and shortly before the start of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah’s televised speech, the IDF published a highly unusual statement, stating that the IAF had begun attacking Hezbollah targets “to damage and destroy the organization's terrorist capabilities and military infrastructure.”

“The terrorist organization Hezbollah has turned South Lebanon into a war zone, and for decades armed the homes of the citizens with weapons, dug tunnels under them and used them as human shields,” the statement read.

The IDF typically only releases operational updates after a wave of airstrikes has ended. In addition, the army announced that Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, “recently completed the approval of plans for the northern sector.”

“Hezbollah has suffered a serious injury, both psychologically and practically. We need to continue this sequence, and damage all of Hezbollah’s capabilities. We will present our plans to the political level, which will make the decision,” an army source told Army Radio.

Metula in northern Israel tonight following Hezbollah rocket fire from Lebanon.

We will not let Hezbollah, Hamas or any other Iranian proxy terrorize the people of Israel.

📸 @rubih67 pic.twitter.com/UjBaowtgib

— Israel ישראל (@Israel) September 19, 2024

Meanwhile, Hezbollah fired large rocket barrages and drones toward the Upper Galilee. One woman was lightly wounded in the northern town of Metula.

Metula Mayor David Azoulay said there was “tremendous damage” from rockets that hit several houses, sparking fires.

“I haven’t seen anything like it since the start of the war,” Azoulay added.

מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר בהכוונה מודיעינית תקפו כ-30 משגרים ותשתיות צבאיות של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה, אשר הכילו כ-150 קני שיגור שנועדו לשיגור מיידי לעבר שטח הארץ>> pic.twitter.com/mW5hxTVnLi

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) September 19, 2024

On Thursday evening, the IDF announced it had struck some 30 rocket launchers and military infrastructure of Hezbollah, “containing about 150 launcher barrels intended for immediate launch.”

The IDF Home Front Command then instructed all residents of the Upper Galilee and the northern Golan Heights to reduce movement in public spaces, avoid gatherings, secure the town entrances, and stay near bomb shelters, apparently in anticipation of an imminent attack.

Shortly after, the army announced it had completed a massive wave of airstrikes, overall taking out around 100 rocket launchers containing about 1,000 launcher barrels, all prepared for immediate fire on Israel.

מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר תקפו בשעתיים האחרונות בהכוונת אמ"ן ופיקוד הצפון, מאות קני שיגור שהיו מוכנים לשיגור מיידי לשטח מדינת ישראל.

החל משעות אחר הצהריים הותקפו סך הכל כ-100 משגרים ותשתיות צבאיות נוספות, בהם כ-1,000 קני שיגור שהיו מוכנים לשיגור מיידי<< pic.twitter.com/I3Tg1QGz8j

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) September 19, 2024

Lebanese media reported strikes were carried out in southern Lebanon, but also in the area of the Litani River and near the Bekaa Valley, deep within Lebanese territory.

On Friday morning, the IDF announced that residents in the north could return to normal routine, while cautioning that “instructions published by the Home Front Command in the official channels should continue to be followed.”

Despite the successful Israeli strikes, on Friday morning Israel Hayom reported that about 50 houses in Metula were damaged by Hezbollah fire.

Overall, some 300 houses, or about half of the town’s buildings, have suffered significant damage since the start of the war.

Metula this morning.

The once beautiful town in northern Israel is under Hezbollah fire for almost one year, as all other Israeli cities, towns and villages in Northern Israel.

On October 8th Hezbollah started an unprovoked war against the people of Israel in order to assist… https://t.co/yXLRDpH2oH pic.twitter.com/1YGzaqr3RB

— Avi Nir-Feldklein (@avraham_nir) September 20, 2024

Nevertheless, the head of the Merom HaGalil Regional Council, Amit Sofer, praised the military and political leadership for its aggressive policy in recent days.

“In the same way we echo the pain of our residents – and there are still gaps – we also know how to give thanks for the good. I want to strengthen the prime minister to continue with all his strength and allow the IDF and the security forces to continue to operate with all the creativity and means at our disposal, and not to take our foot off the gas until security and peace return to the northern border.”