Israel framed its strikes as preemptively striking Hezbollah rocket launching sites before a planned 5 AM Hezbollah attack. According to Lebanese officials, theIsraeli military struck forty locations in southern Lebanon with about 100 fighter jets. Shortly after, according to Hezbollah, it launched over 320 rockets at northern Israel as "the first phase" of its response to Israel's July assassination of senior commanderFuad Shukr.[4][5][6][7]
In the days preceding the strikes, the US and Israel received intelligence showing Hezbollah was preparing to initiate an attack.[9]
Strikes
Israel
Israeli military spokesmanDaniel Hagari stated that domestic intelligence believed thatHezbollah was intending to initiate an imminent "extensive attack"—including rockets, missiles, and drones—on Israel and fired counterstrikes against long-range missiles Hezbollah intended to use. Israeli prime ministerBenjamin Netanyahu managed the operation fromTel Aviv with defense ministerYoav Gallant; Netanyahu convened his security cabinet at 7 a.m.[10]
According to an Israeli official, the U.S. was informed of the operation.[9] According to a U.S. defense official, the United States helped Israel track incoming Hezbollah attacks.[11] According toThe New York Times, Hezbollah intended to fire rockets at 5 a.m. and Israel destroyed Hezbollah's missile launchers.[12] Israel sent a hundred fighter jets during its operations.[13] Israeli Defense MinisterYoav Gallant described the strikes as "very successful", stating that "over fifty percent, maybe two-thirds" of Hezbollah's strikes were prevented.[14]
Hezbollah
Hezbollah stated the organization began its response to the assassination ofFuad Shukr, targeting a "special military target",Iron Dome platforms, and other sites.[15][16][17] In its first stage, Hezbollah claimed that it had fired over 320 rockets at nearly twelve Israeli military bases and positions.[6][18][19]
Casualties
Two Hezbollah militants were killed and one Hezbollah militant and a Syrian national were injured in southern Lebanon, one critically.[20][21] The Amal movement said one of its fighters fromKhiam was killed.[7] Hezbollah confirmed death of their six militants on 25 August.[22]
In a conversation with Gallant, U.S. secretary of defenseLloyd Austin discussed avoiding escalating theGaza war, according to Gallant.[29]United States National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett stated that presidentJoe Biden was "closely monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon" and reaffirmed Israel's right to defend itself.[30]
Hezbollah
Amal Movement
Israel