Hezbollah fired over 50 rockets toward Israel on Friday, as the region awaits Iran’s response to the suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian Consulate in Syria on April 1.
The Iran-backed Lebanese group said it fired dozens of Katyusha rockets at the Israeli military’s artillery positions, according to Hezbollah's Manar news agency.
Al Jazeera reported the explosion of air interception rockets above border villages in southeast Lebanon.
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said several rockets were fired Friday evening from Lebanon toward Israel, stating that most of the rockets were intercepted. Those that were not downed fell in open spaces and did not cause casualties, he said.
The Israeli military said at 1:41 p.m. ET that around 40 launches were identified from Lebanese territory, some of which were intercepted. Lebanese outlets reported that over 50 rockets were fired.
LEBANON: At least 50 rockets fired from the southern part of the country toward northern Israel. pic.twitter.com/zBwbICbIF3
Al-Arabiya news channel reported that Hezbollah bombed an Israeli military site in the Golan Heights. It added citing Lebanese media that an Israeli aircraft flew over Beirut.
The development comes as the region braces for Iran’s response to suspected Israeli attack on the Iranian Consulate in Syria on April 1. The strike killed seven members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
When asked at a press conference Friday when he expects an attack on Israel by Iran, US President Joe Biden said "sooner rather than later." He added, “We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel, we will help defend Israel, and Iran will not succeed."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and chiefs of the Israeli security agencies met Friday evening at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv for a three-hour discussion, assessing the security situation in light of Iran’s threats.
A senior Israeli security source told Ynet after the assessment meeting that “there is no need to panic. If Iran will attack, there is enough time to prepare and intercept (either missiles or drones).” The unnamed source added that “there is maximal cooperation with the Americans and with other elements. We are at the highest state of preparedness.”
Gallant met Friday with the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, to discuss the situation. After the meeting, Gallant said, “We discussed the tight cooperation between Israel and the United States; between the armies and between the defense systems.”
Separately a US Defense official told Fox News and other media that American military assets are being moved into the region.
“We are moving additional assets to the region to bolster regional deterrence efforts and increase force protection for US forces,” the official said.
He added, “Our enemies think they can put a wedge between Israel and the United States, but the contrary is true. They bring us closer together and deepen the connection between us. We are standing shoulder to shoulder in our battle.”
This Friday meeting came in addition to a meeting between Kurilla and IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi.
The escalation has prompted France, Canada, Australia and others to issue a warning to their citizens on Friday against any travel to Israel, Lebanon, Iran and the Palestinian territories.
German air carrier Lufthansa suspended flights to and from Tehran at least until Saturday.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Hezbollah fires rockets at Israel as Iranian retaliation looms
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0
12.04.2024
Hezbollah fired over 50 rockets toward Israel on Friday, as the region awaits Iran’s response to the suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian Consulate in Syria on April 1.
The Iran-backed Lebanese group said it fired dozens of Katyusha rockets at the Israeli military’s artillery positions, according to Hezbollah's Manar news agency.
Al Jazeera reported the explosion of air interception rockets above border villages in southeast Lebanon.
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said several rockets were fired Friday evening from Lebanon toward Israel, stating that most of the rockets were intercepted. Those that were not downed fell in open spaces and did not cause casualties, he said.
The Israeli military said at 1:41 p.m. ET that around 40 launches were identified from Lebanese territory, some of which were intercepted. Lebanese outlets reported that over 50........
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