The exchange of attacks between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified since the onset of Israel's Gaza conflict in October, with this latest development marking a notable escalation in the cross-border tensions.
Hezbollah claims to have completed the initial phase of a retaliatory operation against Israel, avenging the killing of commander Fuad Shukr in late July.
This comes after Israel conducted airstrikes on southern Lebanon earlier on Sunday, citing a preemptive measure against Hezbollah's plans to target northern Israel, Al Jazeera reports.
The exchange of attacks between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified since the onset of Israel's Gaza conflict in October, with this latest development marking a notable escalation in the cross-border tensions.
Hezbollah's retaliatory strike was expected, coming weeks after the targeted killings of senior commanders in Hezbollah and Hamas, attributed to Israel.
The Lebanese organization claimed to have launched over 320 Katyusha rockets targeting 11 Israeli military installations, including the Meron base and four sites in the occupied Golan Heights. This exchange marks a significant escalation in the months-long cycle of tit-for-tat attacks between the two sides.
“Most of the Israeli strikes on Lebanon were in the border area, up to 5km [3 miles] deep along the 120km [74-mile] border,” said Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr, reporting from Lebanese town Marjayoun.
“The border area is now a military zone. It’s been evacuated … It’s been repeatedly hit by the Israeli army in recent months.”
Israel claims to have preemptively struck thousands of Hezbollah rocket launch sites in southern Lebanon with 100 jets, half an hour before a planned attack, to safeguard its citizens.
However, subsequent Israeli drone and airstrike attacks resulted in casualties, with one person critically injured in Qasimia and another killed in Khiam, according to Lebanon's NNA news agency.
In response to the escalating tensions, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared a 48-hour nationwide "special situation" starting Sunday at 6am (03:00 GMT).
Additionally, Ben Gurion airport was temporarily shut down, and reports emerged of injuries in northern Israel.
The Israeli army also announced a series of restrictions on civilians in northern Israel and the Golan Heights.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was “determined to do everything possible to defend” itself. “Whoever harms us – we harm him,” he said.
Following the attacks, Al Jazeera’s Khodr said: “There are reports that this initial wave of attacks in southern Lebanon has now ended, so we’re waiting to hear from the Israeli military to see whether or not they plan to carry out more strikes, which could, in turn, trigger a Hezbollah response and expand this conflict.
“This is, and has been, a very dangerous conflict, even though largely contained, there is a real concern that it could expand and spiral out of control.”