Hezbollah escalates conflict: Hundreds of rockets strike Israel after Netanyahu’s Beirut attack admission

World News: On Monday, Lebanon-based Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets into northern Israel, escalating tensions just one day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel’s involvement in a September strike on a Hezbollah target in Beirut. Netanyahu publicly acknowledged approving the operation, marking a significant point in the ongoing conflict. Following this announcement, Hezbollah’s response came in the form of heavy rocket fire directed at various Israeli regions, leading to injuries and extensive damage.

IDF Confirms Rocket Strikes and Vows Retaliation

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responded swiftly, sharing a video on X showing the aftermath of one such strike, accompanied by a message: “#Northern_Israel_Is_Under_Attack. We will continue to defend our civilians against Hezbollah’s aggression.” According to the Times of Israel, more than 165 rockets were fired, with seven people, including a one-year-old girl, sustaining injuries from shrapnel in the town of Bi’ina. The victims, including a 27-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man, were quickly transported to Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya for treatment.

Direct Hits on Galilee and Karmiel Regions

Approximately 50 rockets targeted Galilee Medical Center, while several additional strikes hit the town of Karmiel and other nearby areas. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for these attacks, stating that one strike specifically targeted a “training base for the Paratroopers Brigade in the Karmiel settlement.” The IDF reported that some missiles hit civilian areas despite the use of air defenses, causing concern and further endangering civilians.

Heavy Rocket Barrage Strikes Haifa

In what is being described as “one of the largest attacks amid the ongoing conflict,” Hezbollah launched 90 rockets toward the port city of Haifa. The first wave, consisting of 80 rockets, saw most intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, although some still impacted surrounding towns, causing significant disruption. A second wave of 10 rockets was either intercepted or fell in uninhabited regions, minimizing further damage.

IDF Drone Strikes Hezbollah Rocket Launcher

Shortly after the strikes on Haifa, an IDF drone destroyed a Hezbollah rocket launcher believed to have been used in the attack. The IDF continues to bolster its defenses in response to the sustained rocket fire, signaling a potentially extended escalation as both sides brace for further confrontations.