The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have wrapped up a series of overnight operations, striking at Hezbollah’s infrastructure across Southern Lebanon and Beirut. This military action comes as a direct response to a barrage of rocket attacks launched by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group.
In the aftermath of Hezbollah’s assault, which involved “dozens” of rockets targeting Israeli territory, the IDF took steps to mitigate civilian casualties. The military urged residents of Tyre to evacuate, emphasizing the importance of leaving the area before the IDF proceeded with operations aimed at Hezbollah installations nearby.
The IDF’s statement highlighted that their strikes targeted Hezbollah’s weapon storage facilities and operational bases, noting these were intentionally placed within civilian areas. This, they said, underscores Hezbollah’s repeated misuse of the Lebanese populace as human shields.
Concurrently, the Israeli Air Force and Navy focused their efforts on dismantling infrastructure associated with the 14th Imam Hossein Division, a faction of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) based in Southern Lebanon.
In Beirut, the IDF directed its firepower against the Al-Quard al-Hasan association, which it identifies as the financial backbone of Hezbollah. The Israeli Navy also engaged targets within the Lebanese capital, continuing their comprehensive offensive against Hezbollah’s assets in the region.
The Israeli Navy also hit terrorist targets in the Lebanese capital.
“Prior to the strikes, steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of advance warnings, the use of precise munitions and aerial surveillance,” according to the military.
Hezbollah began firing rockets and suicide drones at Israel on March 2, in retaliation for the Jewish state’s targeted killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei was killed in the opening strikes of “Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury” against the regime on Feb. 28.
In response to the terrorist organization’s violation of the US-brokered Nov. 27, 2024, truce agreement, Jerusalem launched an aerial campaign against Hezbollah and ordered IDF troops to advance and take control of additional areas in Southern Lebanon to halt cross-border attacks.
Ahead of Tuesday night’s Hezbollah barrage toward northern Israel, the IDF carried out “preventative strikes on launchers, weapons storage sites and operational command centers,” it stated on Wednesday.
“With the beginning of the Hezbollah attacks, the IDF rapidly identified and struck launchers and terrorist operatives,” the statement added. “Combined, these efforts reduced the scope of fire towards Israel.”
In a separate statement, the IDF said that soldiers of its 300th “Baram” Regional Brigade dismantled over 80 Hezbollah sites and struck and eliminated two terror operatives who emerged from infrastructure.
“IDF troops will continue to operate to strengthen the forward defensive posture and prevent the buildup and reestablishment of the Hezbollah terrorist organization,” the statement declared.
Soldiers of the IDF’s 36th Armored Division were deployed to Lebanon’s south to carry out “limited and targeted ground operations” aimed at expanding the forward defense posture, the IDF said on Tuesday.
The 36th joined the 91st Galilee Division, as Jerusalem continues efforts to “remove threats and create an additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel,” according to the IDF statement.
