Israel launches offensive in Lebanon after Hezbollah avenges for Khamenei’s killing VIDEO

Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Eyal Zamir has announced the start of an offensive operation against the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, the Israeli army's press service said on Telegram on March 2.

At the same time, Israeli media reported that Hezbollah fired 15 rockets and launched eight drones at Israel overnight.

The announcement follows Hezbollah's overnight attacks, with Israeli media and military sources confirming that Hezbollah fired 15 rockets and launched eight drones toward northern Israel, triggering air-raid sirens across the region.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the barrage, describing it as a "legitimate defensive response" and retaliation for the recent killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran that began over the weekend. The group specifically targeted a missile defense site south of Haifa, including the Mishmar HaCarmel facility, using advanced rockets and a swarm of drones.

In response, the IDF initiated airstrikes across Lebanon, including intense bombardments in Beirut's southern suburbs (Dahiyeh), a Hezbollah stronghold, as well as other targets throughout the country. The military emphasized that the operation targets Hezbollah infrastructure and operatives, with waves of strikes aimed at dismantling threats.

By Khagan Isayev