Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes along the Lebanon-Israel border on Saturday in response to attacks by the militant group Hezbollah. One Israeli army post, targeted with two large rockets, was hit during the exchange. The escalation occurred after Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah claimed that his group was already engaged in unprecedented fighting along the border and threatened further escalation as Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza approaches the one-month mark.
Hezbollah declared that it was prepared for all options and could resort to them at any time. The group stated that its fighters targeted at least six Israeli posts along the border, using “suitable rockets and weapons” and achieving direct hits and destruction of technical equipment. Lebanese security officials confirmed that Hezbollah fired two Burkan rockets at an Israeli post known as Jal al-Allam, marking the first use of these heavy warhead-carrying rockets.
The Burkan rockets, previously utilized by Hezbollah and Syrian government forces against Syrian opposition fighters, are just one type of weapon in Hezbollah’s arsenal. Additionally, Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV reported that the group shot down an Israeli military spy balloon over the northern town of Misgaf Am.
Israeli airstrikes were observed in the border village of Rmeish, resulting in thick gray smoke and audible artillery shelling. Lebanon’s National News Agency also reported airstrikes in other border villages, including Labbouneh and Hibarieh. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee confirmed on social media that Israeli warplanes, tanks, and artillery targeted the source of fire on the Lebanese side of the border, as well as Hezbollah arms depots, infrastructure, and posts.
The exchange of gunfire along the Lebanon-Israel border has intensified since an attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 civilians and troops in southern Israel. In response, Israel launched a wide aerial and ground attack on Gaza, causing the deaths of over 9,000 people, mostly civilians.
Hezbollah began attacking Israeli positions on October 8 in the disputed Chebaa Farms area along the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The attacks quickly spread to cover the entire border area. On Saturday, Hezbollah reported the death of one of its fighters, bringing the militant group’s death toll to 56 since the start of the fighting. Additionally, ten civilians, including a Reuters journalist, were killed, along with several Palestinian fighters.
This article was reported from Rmeish and Beirut.
