Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah on Saturday said it had launched dozens of Katyusha missiles at Israel, reported AFP.
Israel said it intercepted most of the projectiles.
The Iran-backed group said its attack, on Beit Hillel in northern Israel, was in response to Tel Aviv’s recent strikes on Kfar Kila and Deir Siriane in Lebanon.
Iran said on Saturday that it expects Hezbollah to ‘hit deeper’ inside Israeli territory soon, The Times of Israel reported.
Saturday’s attack by Hezbollah came days after an Israeli strike in Iran’s Tehran that killed Ismael Haniyeh, a top leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Fouad Shukur, a top military commander of Hezbollah, was also killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut a day earlier. Several civilians were also injured.
“The action was designed and carried out by the Zionist regime [Israel] and supported by the US,” the group said in a statement on Saturday, reported AP. It added that “the warmongering and terrorist Zionist regime will receive harsh punishment in the suitable time, place, and capacity”.
Hezbollah and Israel have exchanged near-daily strikes for the past 10 months amid Tel Aviv’s war on the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza. Hezbollah is an ally of Hamas.
According to Axios, “three US and Israeli officials said they expect Iran to attack Israel as early as Monday”. Officials said they did not know whether Iran and Hezbollah are planning a coordinated offensive or separate attacks.
United States President Biden on Saturday said, when asked by reporters if he thinks Iran would stand down: “I hope so. I don't know.”
Israel’s offensive against Gaza began on October 7 after Hamas militants invaded southern Israel, killing 1,200 persons and taking over 200 hostages.
Since October, Israel has been carrying out unprecedented air and ground strikes on Gaza. The attacks have killed over 40,000 persons, including over 15,000 children.
The United States is boosting its military presence in West Asia with warships and fighter jets amid escalating fears of a war between Iran and Israel, Al Jazeera reported on Friday citing a statement by the Pentagon.
The United States has promised to support Israel in the event of a wider war despite its criticisms of civilian deaths in Gaza.
Israel and the United States have accused Hezbollah of killing 12 persons in a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on July 27. Hezbollah has denied the claim.
India’s Embassy in Israel on Friday issued an advisory urging Indian citizens in the country to exercise caution, avoid unnecessary travel and stay close to safety shelters amid growing tensions in West Asia. A day earlier, the Indian embassy in Lebanon advised Indian nationals to leave the country.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!