Lebanon’s Hezbollah group on Saturday said it carried out 32 attacks within a 24-hour period, targeting Israeli military positions, troops, and equipment, in what it described as a response to Israel’s ongoing offensive in Lebanon.
In a statement released by the group, Hezbollah said the operations were conducted “in defense of Lebanon and its people,” as hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border continue to escalate. The attacks reportedly involved a combination of rockets, drones, and artillery strikes aimed at military sites in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.
According to the group, key targets included Israeli military bases and troop concentrations. Hezbollah claimed it struck the Mishar base, which it described as a central intelligence headquarters for Israel’s northern region, as well as the Dado base, identified as the headquarters of the Israeli army’s Northern Command.
The group also reported targeting an Israeli RC-12 reconnaissance aircraft over the western Bekaa region in eastern Lebanon, stating that the aircraft was forced to withdraw following the engagement. These claims could not be independently verified.
In addition, Hezbollah said it hit multiple Israeli military assets on the ground, including a Hummer vehicle and seven Merkava tanks in the southern Lebanese towns of Qantara, Dibel, and Bayyada, claiming direct strikes on the equipment.
Clashes were also reported in several areas of southern Lebanon, including Taybeh, Bayyada, Qantara, and Shamaa, indicating ongoing ground engagements between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli forces.
On the Israeli side, the military confirmed that nine soldiers, including two officers, were wounded on Saturday following rocket fire from southern Lebanon. Israel’s public broadcaster, Kan, reported that the injuries occurred during rocket attacks, though it was not immediately clear whether they resulted from direct impacts or debris from intercepted projectiles.
The latest exchange comes amid a broader Israeli military campaign in Lebanon. Israel has carried out extensive airstrikes and launched a ground offensive in southern parts of the country since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, which marked a significant escalation in hostilities.
Lebanese authorities say the ongoing Israeli strikes have had a heavy toll on civilians, with at least 1,189 people killed and 3,427 injured since the escalation began. The figures highlight the growing humanitarian impact of the conflict, particularly in densely populated areas.
The situation along the Israel-Lebanon border is unfolding alongside a wider regional confrontation involving Iran. A joint U.S.-Israeli offensive on Iranian targets, which began on February 28, has reportedly resulted in more than 1,340 deaths. In retaliation, Iran has launched drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and U.S. military installations in Gulf countries.
Analysts warn that the intensifying exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel risk opening a sustained northern front in the broader conflict, further stretching military resources and increasing the likelihood of a prolonged regional war.
As both sides continue to trade strikes, concerns are mounting over the potential for further escalation and the impact on civilian populations caught in the crossfire. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions have so far yielded limited results, with fighting persisting across multiple fronts.
The coming days are expected to be critical as the conflict evolves, with regional and international actors closely monitoring developments and urging restraint to prevent a deeper and more widespread crisis.
