IDF launches pre-emptive strike against Hezbollah in Lebanon, foils massive attack aimed at strategic facilities in center of country

More than 350 rockets launched into Israel, Ben Gurion Airport temporarily halted flights before resuming

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The IDF spokesman announced early in the morning (Sunday) that it had launched a pre-emptive strike against Hezbollah in Lebanon and that the forces were "attacking proactively to remove the threat".

The strikes came after the IDF detected "Hezbollah's preparations to launch missiles and rockets at Israel". Hundreds of targets have been attacked so far in large areas of Lebanon.

IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari released a statement at the time of the attacks.

"In the past hour, we identified extensive preparation by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to fire toward the Israeli Home Front. After extensive identification, the IAF and Northern Command began proactively and broadly striking Hezbollah targets in order to remove the threats aimed at the citizens of Israel," Hagari said. "We are removing threats against the Israeli home front. Dozens of IAF jets are currently striking targets in various locations in southern Lebanon. We are continuing to remove threats, and to intensively strike against the Hezbollah terrorist organization."

"‌‏This follows more than 6,700 rockets, missiles, and explosive UAVs fired by Hezbollah at Israeli families, homes, and communities since October 8th," Hagari continued.

Hezbollah responded with fire of its own shortly after the IDF strikes.

Alerts of rocket fire and hostile aircraft penetration were activated in the Western and Upper Galilee and the Golan Heights. One person was slightly injured by shrapnel near Nahariya. A rocket hit a house in Moshav Manot in the Western Galilee. Residents of the conflict line and Golan settlements have been instructed to stay near protected areas.

According to political sources, Israel is preparing for Hezbollah's response in the immediate time frame. Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport has been temporarily closed, with some flights being diverted to Cyprus.

Public transportation across much of Israel's north has reportedly been canceled following the Hezbollah response.

The Municipality of Acre instructed residents to stay near shelters and reduce unnecessary travel. In nearby Haifa, public shelters were opened, according to a municipality spokesperson.

Hezbollah claimed its attacks were in response to the killing of the commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut last month.

"We launched an air offensive with a large number of drones towards deep Israel and military targets. Military operations will take time, we are on the highest alert," the group said in a statement.

According to The New York Times, the IDF destroyed launchers that were planned to fire toward Tel Aviv at 5 a.m.

About 45 minutes later, 150 launches and UAVs were detected targeting the Galilee, the Golan Heights, Acre, Ein Hamfaretz, Safed and Ma'alot.

A political source told N12 News after the attacks in Lebanon: "This is not an attack to start a war, but rather the removal of a serious threat to millions of Israel citizens. The continuation of the escalation depends on Hezbollah's action."

Sean Savett, a spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, said President Joe Biden is "closely monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon.

“At his direction, senior U.S. officials have been communicating continuously with their Israeli counterparts,” Savett said. "We will keep supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, and we will keep working for regional stability.”

Later on Sunday morning, Ben-Gurion Airport announced it would resume normal operations.

Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority announced the resumption of flights to and from the international airport after a brief suspension due to the Israeli Air Force pre-emptive strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon and the anticipated response.

Operations at Ben-Gurion Airport resumed at 7 a.m., according to spokesman Roy Steinmetz.