Israel intensifies strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon amid growing cross-border tensions

New Delhi: Israeli military has intensified its operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, targeting the group's positions after detecting preparations to launch missiles and rockets into Israel. "In a self-defence act to remove these threats, the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) is striking terror targets," said IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari as reported by the BBC.

Israel has urged Lebanese civilians to evacuate areas where Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shia Muslim group, is operating, warning them of the imminent danger. Media reported that sirens blared across northern Israel as rocket warnings echoed through the region.

Hezbollah responded with a statement, announcing a "large" drone and rocket attack on Israel. The group claimed the assault was in retaliation for the Israeli military's killing of its commander, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut on July 30. “These military operations will take some time to conclude. After that, a detailed statement will be released about their process and target,” Hezbollah said.

The group further declared that the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon was on high alert and would respond to any Israeli aggression, particularly if civilians were harmed, with severe punishment.

On Friday, over 100 rockets were launched from Lebanon into Israel, igniting fires and directly hitting two homes in the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona, Al Jazeera reported. No casualties were reported.

The IDF confirmed it had struck operatives in Hezbollah's rocket and missile unit, along with other targets in Lebanon. While Hezbollah reported seven of its members had been killed. The Lebanese Health Ministry also reported the death of an 8-year-old boy due to an Israeli airstrike on a southern village.

In response to the escalating violence, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant declared an "emergency" for the next 48 hours. This declaration, reported by Israel’s YNet News, allows the military to impose restrictions on civilian activities, limit crowd sizes, and close off specific areas as necessary. Gallant’s declaration came as the IDF launched extensive attacks on southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military reported hitting Hezbollah's weapons storage facilities in the Bekaa Valley overnight. In retaliation, Hezbollah targeted Israeli military positions in the Golan Heights, resulting in two homes being hit and one person injured.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Fatah movement accused Israel of assassinating a senior member of its armed wing in Lebanon, accusing Israel of attempting to ignite a regional conflict.

The Israeli military confirmed it had killed Khalil al-Makdah in a strike on the southern port city of Sidon, alleging that he was operating on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards and was involved in orchestrating attacks and smuggling weapons into the West Bank. This marked the first strike on a Fatah member since the onset of the Gaza conflict.

In recent weeks, tensions have increased following Israel's killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut, whom Israel held responsible for a rocket attack that killed 12 children. Almost 200,000 people have been displaced on both sides of the border.