Escalation of Conflict Between Israel and Hezbollah: Key Events and Responses

Escalation of Conflict Between Israel and Hezbollah

In a significant escalation of hostilities, Israel and Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group based in Lebanon, have engaged in some of their most intense cross-border airstrikes in recent months. On Sunday, Israeli aircraft launched a series of bombings in southern Lebanon, asserting that these actions were necessary to disrupt what they described as preparations for a substantial Hezbollah offensive.

In retaliation, Hezbollah announced that it had unleashed a barrage of hundreds of rockets and drones aimed at Israeli targets, framing this response as a direct consequence of Israel’s assassination of a senior commander, Fuad Shukr, in July. However, Israeli sources claimed that the damage inflicted was minimal.

Below is a timeline detailing the key events of the conflict as they unfolded on Sunday morning, with all times noted in local time:

• 5 a.m. (11 p.m. Eastern on Saturday): The Israeli military officially declares that its fighter jets have commenced strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. They state that they have identified the terrorist group preparing to launch missiles and rockets towards Israeli territory. In a video message, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesman for the Israeli military, emphasizes that this operation is a necessary act of self-defense aimed at neutralizing imminent threats. Furthermore, as a precautionary measure, Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv has been closed to incoming and outgoing flights.
• 5:32 a.m.: Air-raid sirens pierce the early morning calm across northern Israel, alerting residents to an incoming barrage of rockets. Footage circulated by Israeli news outlets captures scenes of Israeli air defense systems successfully intercepting several rockets launched from Lebanese territory, marking this attack as one of the longest in recent months amid heightened tensions.
• 6:09 a.m.: Hezbollah confirms its offensive, describing it as an “initial response” to the targeted killing of Fuad Shukr. The group claims to have engaged Israeli military installations and aerial defense systems, also employing drones aimed at a yet-to-be-disclosed significant military target.
• 6:20 a.m.: In light of the escalating situation, Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, announces the implementation of a state of emergency, which includes restrictions on public gatherings. His office later reveals that he has communicated with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III to provide updates on Israeli military actions designed to thwart what they perceive as an imminent threat to the state of Israel.