Engagement in Israel-Hamas War
On 25 August 2024, Israel struck targets in southern Lebanon, followed by strikes by Hezbollah.
Israel framed its strikes as preemptive. According to Lebanese officials, the Israeli 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 commander Fuad Shukr.
Background.
Israeli assassinations.
On 30 July 2024, Fuad Shukr, a Hezbollah militant leader, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut. Israel has previously accused Shukr of involvement in the Majdal Shams attack three days prior that killed twelve children and young adults in the disputed Golan Heights.
On 31 July 2024, Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, was killed in a guesthouse in Tehran. In response to the assassination, Iran has stated that it would respond militarily, accusing Israel of Haniyeh's death; Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah stated that the organization had entered new phase in its conflict with Israel in response to Shukr and Haniyeh's deaths.
Anticipated Hezbollah strikes.
In the days preceding the strikes, the US and Israel received intelligence showing Hezbollah was preparing to initiate an attack.
Strikes.
Israel.
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that domestic intelligence believed that Hezbollah 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 minister Benjamin Netanyahu managed the operation from Tel Aviv with defense minister Yoav Gallant; Netanyahu convened his security cabinet at 7 a.m.
According to an Israeli official, the U.S. was informed of the operation. According to a U.S. defense official, the United States helped Israel track incoming Hezbollah attacks. According to "The New York Times", Hezbollah intended to fire rockets at 5 a.m. and Israel destroyed Hezbollah's missile launchers. Israel sent a hundred fighter jets during its operations. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant described the strikes as "very successful", stating that "over fifty percent, maybe two-thirds" of Hezbollah's strikes were prevented.
Hezbollah.
Hezbollah stated the organization began its response to the assassination of Fuad Shukr, targeting a "special military target", Iron Dome platforms, and other sites. In its first stage, Hezbollah claimed that it had fired over 320 rockets at nearly twelve Israeli military bases and positions.
Casualties.
Two Hezbollah militants were killed and one Hezbollah militant and a Syrian national were injured in southern Lebanon, one critically. The Amal movement said one of its fighters from Khiam was killed. Hezbollah confirmed death of their six militants on 25 August.
An Israeli Navy officer was killed by a malfunctioning missile launched by the Iron Dome that struck a Dvora-class fast patrol boat off the coast of Nahariya, northern Israel and two others were injured. A woman was slightly injured by a missile in northern Israel.
Responses.
Israel.
Departures and arrivals were canceled at Ben Gurion Airport until 10 a.m.; two El Al flights were diverted. The Golan Regional Council instructed residents of the Golan Heights to remain in their shelters. Yoav Gallant declared an "emergency situation" for two days.
United States.
In a conversation with Gallant, U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin discussed avoiding escalating the Israel–Hamas war, according to Gallant. United States National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett stated that president Joe Biden was "closely monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon" and reaffirmed Israel's right to defend itself.
References.
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