The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for a rocket and drone attack targeting an Israeli military site south of the city of Haifa, further widening the ongoing US/Israel-Iran conflict.
In a statement issued early Monday, Hezbollah said it attacked the site “with a salvo of advanced rockets and a swarm of drones” on Sunday night.
The group described the operation as retaliation for the “pure blood” of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei, who was reportedly killed in large-scale US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on Saturday morning.
The Israeli military earlier confirmed that warning sirens sounded across several areas in northern Israel overnight after projectiles were launched from Lebanese territory.
In response, Israel said it had begun striking Hezbollah positions across Lebanon, stressing that it would not permit the group to pose a threat to the State of Israel or endanger civilians.
Eyewitnesses quoted by dpa reported that at least 10 airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs, sending shockwaves across the Lebanese capital.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said in a statement: “We will not allow the country to be dragged into new adventures, and we will take all necessary measures to stop the perpetrators and protect the Lebanese people.”
The latest escalation follows recent US-Israeli attacks on Iran, after which Hezbollah pledged solidarity with Tehran.
Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, is widely regarded as one of the most powerful non-state armed groups globally.
Although it was significantly weakened during its recent war with Israel, the group is believed to retain substantial military capabilities, raising fears of a broader regional confrontation.
