Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes across Lebanon on Sunday night after the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah launched missiles and drones towards Israel. The group said the attacks were in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
This marks the first time the Shi’ite group, a key ally of Tehran, has entered the conflict since the United States and Israel began coordinated strikes on Iran on Saturday.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that several projectiles fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory landed in open areas. According to reports, explosions were heard in parts of Tel Aviv, though no air raid sirens were activated and the source of the explosions remains unclear.
In a statement, Hezbollah said its strikes were carried out in response to the killing of Khamenei and what it described as “repeated Israeli aggression.” The group claimed to have targeted a missile defense site south of Haifa in the attack.
It is the first time in more than a year that the militant group has claimed responsibility for a direct strike against Israel.
“The resistance leadership has always emphasised that the continuation of Israeli attacks and the assassination of our leaders, youth, and people gives us the right to defend ourselves and respond at the appropriate time and place,” Hezbollah said.
The IDF stated that it would act against Hezbollah’s decision to join the conflict and would not allow the organisation to pose a threat to Israel. Citing Lebanese security sources, Reuters reported that Israeli forces targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, an area considered a Hezbollah stronghold.