Israel Bombs Southern Lebanon to Thwart Hezbollah Revenge Attack
- Hezbollah says it’s responding to commander killed by Israel
- Israel’s defense minister declares 48-hour state of emergency
Smoke rises from the site of an airstrike on Zibqin, southern Lebanon, on Aug. 25.
Photographer: Kawnat Haju/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Israel declared a 48-hour state of emergency after carrying out a pre-emptive attack on Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon as the Iran-backed militant group began what it said was its initial response to last month’s killing of its military chief by Israel.
The Israeli military said it sent 100 warplanes over Lebanon and took out thousands of rocket launchers aimed at targets in northern and central Israel. Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesman, said Hezbollah then fired hundreds of missiles and rockets at Israel.