Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised his country’s decision to attack the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah on Sunday, saying it “epitomizes Israel’s right and duty to defend itself and its citizens against the threat of terrorism.”
“This is once again an opportunity to express our gratitude and support for our daughters and sons in the Israel Defense Forces, as well as in the security, emergency and rescue services, for their relentless efforts across all battlefronts,” the president tweeted.
“Their immense sacrifices and personal costs in thwarting the malicious acts of our enemies and in defending the State of Israel and its citizens deserve our deepest thanks. I hug all of them with deep gratitude,” he added.
The IDF carried out a preemptive strike on Hezbollah targets in Southern Lebanon after detecting preparations by the terrorist group to engage in an “extensive” attack.
Approximately 100 Israeli Air Force planes launched simultaneous strikes on some 40 Hezbollah targets, destroying more than 6,000 missiles and drones, the IDF said.
“This morning we identified Hezbollah preparations to attack Israel. In consensus with the defense minister and the IDF chief of staff, we directed the IDF to initiate action to eliminate the threat,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday.
The strike targeted missile launchers that had been programmed to fire at 5 a.m. at targets in Israel, including in the Tel Aviv area, The New York Times reported, citing a Western intelligence official.
Hezbollah, which labeled its attack a success and Israel’s claims of a successful preemptive counterstrike as false, said that its launches were a “stage one” in its retaliation for Israel’s targeted killing in Beirut last month of Hezbollah’s No. 2 commander, Fuad Shukr.
