Israel has declared a 48-hour nationwide state of emergency following pre-emptive strikes launched by the Israeli military against targets in Lebanon. The decision, announced by Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, came after Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia militant group backed by Iran, launched over 320 rockets into Israel overnight, targeting military positions.
The state of emergency, effective from 6:00 am local time (03:00 GMT), grants the IDF authority to issue directives to citizens, including restrictions on gatherings and closures of certain sites. Gallant cited a high probability of attacks against civilian areas, emphasizing the need for heightened security measures across the country.
In a statement, the Israeli military confirmed that its jets had struck targets in Lebanon “that posed an imminent threat” to Israelis. “From right next to the homes of Lebanese civilians in the south of Lebanon, we can see that Hezbollah is preparing to launch an extensive attack on Israel, while endangering the Lebanese civilians,” said military spokesman Daniel Hagari. He urged civilians “to move out of harm’s way”.
Hezbollah, in a statement, claimed that its strikes successfully targeted Israeli bases and barracks, to enable the passage of attack drones into deeper Israeli territory. The group asserted that its actions were a “initial response” to the killing of its top commander, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut last month.
The US has stated its support for Israel’s right to defend itself. The Pentagon confirmed ongoing communication between senior U.S. and Israeli officials, reiterating its commitment to stand by Israel.
The West Asia has been on high alert for weeks following threats from Hezbollah and its patron Iran to retaliate for the Beirut strike and the assassination of Hamas’s political leader in Tehran. The current situation has heightened concerns of a wider regional conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to hold a security cabinet meeting to discuss the escalating situation. The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life, with over 1,199 people killed in Israel and 40,334 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the outbreak of the war in Gaza last year.
The latest escalation in tensions has further raised anxieties about a potential full-scale conflict in Lebanon, as the region grapples with the repercussions of the ongoing war in Gaza and the potential for broader regional instability.
