Military clashes between Israel and the Iran-aligned militant group Hezbollah are intensifying. On the 25th (local time), foreign media including the Times of Israel reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting, and the Ministry of Defense declared a 48-hour state of emergency.
According to reports, Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Brigadier General), stated in a press release that Hezbollah is preparing to launch rockets and missiles, and that a preemptive strike was carried out in Lebanon to eliminate the threat.
Spokesperson Hagari warned, "We urge civilians in areas where Hezbollah operates to immediately move away from danger for their own safety," adding, "Hezbollah’s continued attacks risk dragging the Lebanese people, the Israeli people, and the entire region into greater tension. Israel will not tolerate Hezbollah attacking our civilians."
Following the statement, Lebanese media reported that Israel conducted about 40 airstrikes in southern Lebanon. Israel views Hezbollah’s preparations for attack as a response to the killing of Hezbollah military leader Fouad Shukr last month and is preparing for missile attacks.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched a counterattack. Hezbollah announced that it retaliated by targeting military facilities in response to the airstrikes. Arab media reported that over 100 rockets have been fired from Lebanon into Israel so far.
On social media platform X, sirens presumed to be from rocket and drone attacks in Israel’s western Galilee region, as well as scenes of Iron Dome missile interceptions responding to these attacks, are being posted one after another.
As the preemptive strikes escalated, Prime Minister Netanyahu convened the security cabinet at 7 a.m. that day. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also declared a state of emergency for the country for the next 48 hours.
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