On Tuesday, Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant organization, announced that it had struck the Israeli military intelligence base at Glilot, located near Tel Aviv. The Iran-supported group claimed in a Telegram statement that it had “fired multiple Fadi 4 rockets at the Glilot base, which houses military intelligence unit 8200 and the Mossad headquarters on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.” The group further mentioned that the rocket attack was accompanied by chants of “at your service, O Nasrallah.”
Israel said the projectiles crossed into the country and that sirens sounded in central Israel as a result. An AFP journalist in Tel Aviv heard explosions, possibly interceptions by the Israeli anti-missile defense system.
The IDF also said that it had commenced ground raids targeting Hezbollah strongholds along the border. The army spokeswoman said the raids were aimed at “preventing Hezbollah from conducting an October 7-style massacre in northern Israel.”
In addition, the military warned residents of 25 villages to evacuate and asked civilians to stay away from public places. “The IDF is requesting that civilians leave their cars in the northern border region for their safety,” it said. “For your safety, please stay clear of the area near the Litani River, south of the village of Glilot.”
Earlier, Hezbollah fired several rockets toward central Israel. The Shiite militant group said it fired two Falaq 2 rockets at a troop of soldiers near the village of Rosh Pinna in the Upper Galilee and that it had also targeted a military base in the northern town of Doviv with another rocket barrage.
According to the army, there were no reports of injuries or damage in central Israel as a result of the rocket attacks. However, shrapnel shattered windows in homes in Kfar Qassem and caused traffic jams on Route 6.
Israel retaliated with an air strike targeting a Hezbollah post in the eastern village of Ain a-Tal. The strike hit a bunker and killed one person while wounding three others.
The IDF said the targeted Hezbollah post in Ain a-Tal was a training site for operatives who are responsible for assassinating Hezbollah commanders and leaders.
The army said it was preparing for further attacks on Hezbollah bases in southern Lebanon. It has been observing Hezbollah’s activity in the area, including the deployment of its forces and the movement of its fighters.
Hezbollah’s chief of staff, Mohammad Afif, said that his group is ready to engage in direct combat with Israel. Hezbollah will not allow itself to be dragged into a war it does not want, he said, adding that the group has suffered a series of blows that have weakened it. Hezbollah will not give up its weapons and will continue to defend the country, he added. Hezbollah has turned Lebanese villages next to Israel into military bases in preparation for a war against the IDF, he said. Hezbollah’s decision to use its military and the civilian population as shields against an onslaught by Israel will only hurt the country.