The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Sunday that they were conducting retaliatory strikes against the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah in Lebanon following about 115 aerial attacks launched by Hezbollah towards civilian areas in northern Israel. The IDF stated that its defensive arrays were deployed in northern Israel and on high alert to thwart threats targeting the area. Air defense systems successfully intercepted multiple projectiles over Haifa. The military confirmed that the strikes against Hezbollah would continue and intensify.
In addition to targeting Hezbollah, the Israeli Air Force conducted a precise strike on Hamas terrorists in a compound in the northern Gaza Strip. The IDF stated that measures were taken to minimize the risk of harm to civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and intelligence information. Israel’s Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, communicated with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin multiple times over the weekend to discuss the situation in northern Israel. Gallant provided Austin with updates on the IDF’s operations against Hezbollah and briefed him on the operation that targeted Ibrahim Aqil, head of Hezbollah’s operations unit and commander of the Radwan Forces, who was responsible for several terror attacks against Israel.
Gallant also discussed Israel’s defensive position and ongoing operations against Hezbollah’s attacks on northern cities and civilian areas in Israel. He emphasized Israel’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its northern communities and expressed his appreciation to Austin and the U.S. leadership for their support and commitment to Israel. The IDF’s activities in Gaza against Hamas were also highlighted, with Gallant emphasizing the goal of freeing the more than 100 hostages still held by Hamas. The collaboration and support from the U.S. in addressing these security challenges were acknowledged.
The retaliatory strikes and defensive actions taken by the IDF against Hezbollah and Hamas were in response to the increased aggression and attacks targeting civilian areas in northern Israel. The IDF’s deployment of defensive arrays and air defense systems in northern Israel demonstrated their readiness to protect the area from threats. The precision strikes on terrorist targets were conducted with the objective of mitigating harm to civilians and disrupting the activities of terrorist groups. The ongoing communication between Israeli and U.S. defense officials reflected the shared commitment to addressing security challenges and ensuring the safety of Israeli communities.
Through the targeted strikes and defensive measures, the IDF aimed to deter further attacks from Hezbollah and Hamas and protect Israeli civilians from harm. The cooperation and communication between Israeli and U.S. defense authorities highlighted the importance of international partnerships in addressing security threats. The commitment to freeing hostages held by Hamas demonstrated Israel’s dedication to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. The ongoing operations in Gaza and Lebanon reflected the IDF’s determination to confront and neutralize terrorist threats in the region. The support and collaboration with international partners, such as the U.S., reinforced Israel’s efforts to maintain peace and security.
