Hezbollah Fires Rockets at Israel, Massive Israeli Airstrikes Rock Beirut

Tehran: Israel has launched a major attack on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon's capital Beirut. The attack took place on Monday morning, when Hezbollah attacked a military base near Haifa in northern Israel with rockets and drones. Hezbollah says the attack is revenge for the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and was carried out to protect Lebanon. After more than a year, Hezbollah has claimed to have carried out such an attack on Israel.

What caused Hezbollah's attack?

Hezbollah said in the statement that it attacked the Mishmar ha-Carmel missile defense site with advanced rockets and a drone swarm. This is "revenge for the martyrdom of Ayatollah Imam Seyed Ali al-Husseini Khamenei". As well as responding to repeated Israeli attacks and defending Lebanon. Hezbollah is Iran's strongest proxy group, so this attack is a sign of its direct entry into the Iran-Israel war.

How did Israel respond?

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) took immediate action. He said projectiles from Lebanon were intercepted, some falling in open areas, but there were no injuries or major damage. The IDF said in a statement that it was carrying out vigorous attacks on Hezbollah targets throughout Lebanon. Several explosions occurred in Beirut's southern neighborhoods (Dahiya), where Hezbollah has a stronghold. The IDF says that Hezbollah is acting under the supervision of the Iranian regime and is firing on Israeli civilians, causing the destruction of Lebanon itself. The IDF clearly stated that they will not allow Hezbollah to become a threat to Israel and will respond "strongly."

How did the Lebanese Prime Minister react?

Lebanese PM Nawaf Salam strongly condemned Hezbollah's attack. He wrote, "Without naming anyone, the PM said that necessary steps will be taken against whoever is behind this." The culprits will be caught and the Lebanese people will be protected. He clearly said that he will not let the country get into new trouble.

How is all this connected to the Iran-Israel war?

These attacks follow the death of Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israel joint strikes. Iran responded by intensifying missile-drone attacks in the Middle East – with strikes near Bahrain, Dubai and over Doha. A fire broke out in Bahrain after a missile was intercepted, killing one person. Now with the entry of Hezbollah the war has spread to Lebanon. Israel has already said it will continue "non-stop" strikes.

The situation in the Middle East is now very dangerous. On one side, Hezbollah is taking revenge, on the other side, Israel is responding strongly, and the Lebanese government is caught in the middle. It remains to be seen what happens in the coming hours and days – the war may spread further or it may be stopped through diplomacy.