Both sides claimed success in their attacks: while the Shiite militia claimed to have hit several strategic targets in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a preventive strike had succeeded in destroying some 40 rocket launchers belonging to the Lebanese group.

An Israeli official quoted by the Army Radio station said the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) detected Hezbollah’s preparations and launched a raid involving 100 aircraft shortly before 05:00 hours, local time.

In statements to the Ynet website, another military source threatened a land invasion of the neighboring country after stating that “we have other attack plans (…) any action approved by the political level, we will carry it out.”

However, the Lebanese movement denied such information and described the operation as a success after firing more than 320 rockets and drones against numerous targets, including 11 military bases.

The armed group assured that its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, will address the country in the coming hours to explain the situation and refute the Israeli statements.

It pointed out that its attack was the first step in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah’s top military leader Fouad Shukr by Israeli intelligence in Beirut.

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