The Israeli army says about 150 rockets, missiles and different projectiles have been fired at its territory in a single day and on Sunday.
It says many of the strikes have been launched by Hezbollah in Lebanon. They reached additional into Israel than earlier than, together with near the port metropolis of Haifa, the place at the least three folks have been wounded.
The Israeli military additionally mentioned projectiles launched from Iraq had been introduced down. Tons of of hundreds of individuals have sought shelter.
The Israeli army has continued its strikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, after claiming to have struck practically 300 on Saturday. The UN mentioned the area was “getting ready to an imminent disaster”.
Additionally on Sunday, Hezbollah held funerals for Ibrahim Aqil, one in every of a dozen senior leaders of the teams killed in an Israeli airstrike close to Beirut on Friday. Lebanon mentioned a complete of 45 folks, together with kids, died in that assault.
In a press release, the Israel Protection Forces (IDF) mentioned: “About 150 rockets, cruise missiles and UAVs [drones] have been launched in the direction of the territory of Israel, most of them in the direction of the north of the nation.”
The barrage reached the city of Kirayt Bialik on the outskirts of Haifa, the place rockets broken properties and automobiles.
Native resident Achiya Itschaky instructed Reuters information company: “Round 06:30 there was an alarm after which instantly afterwards an enormous explosion – very, very huge explosion – even three or 4 homes from right here. Our window in the primary room was utterly destroyed.”
The Israeli army has closed faculties in Haifa, in addition to in different northern areas as much as the Lebanese border. Residents have been instructed to limit outside gatherings to fewer than 10 folks.
Late on Saturday, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari mentioned dozens of Israeli warplanes have been “extensively” hitting Hezbollah targets. The IDF later warned that its strikes in opposition to Hezbollah “will proceed and can intensify”.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned: “In current days, we now have landed a collection of blows on Hezbollah that it might have by no means imagined.”
The IDF mentioned that most of the projectiles had been intercepted in a single day, together with two that had been launched from Iraq.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a Iran-backed group, mentioned it had launched cruise missile and explosive drone assaults at Israel.
The most recent cross-border exchanges have sparked renewed worldwide concern.
The White Home mentioned army escalation was not in Israel’s “greatest curiosity”. The EU mentioned it was “extraordinarily” involved and UK International Secretary David Lammy referred to as for an “quick ceasefire”.
Earlier this week, 39 folks have been killed and hundreds wounded after pagers and walkie-talkies utilized by Hezbollah, the politically-influential Iran-backed organisation, exploded on two days throughout Lebanon.
On Thursday, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah blamed Israel for the assaults, saying it had crossed “all purple strains” and vowed “simply punishment”. Israel has not claimed accountability.
As fears enhance that the battle could escape right into a full-scale battle, the US state division issued new journey recommendation for residents at the moment in Lebanon.
The US embassy in Beirut has urged folks to “depart Lebanon whereas business choices nonetheless stay out there”.
Neighbouring Jordan’s overseas ministry issued related recommendation to its residents, urging these in Lebanon to depart as quickly as doable.
Combating between Israel and Hezbollah escalated on 8 October 2023 – the day after the assault on Israel by Hamas gunmen from Gaza – when Hezbollah fired at Israeli positions.
