Exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel: Over 100 rockets fired, tensions escalate into a full-scale war

Early Sunday, Hezbollah fired over 100 rockets into northern Israel, targeting areas near Haifa, sparking a significant escalation in hostilities. The attack prompted Israel to respond with hundreds of airstrikes on Lebanon, raising fears of an all-out war.

The escalation came after Israel began shifting its focus to the north, targeting Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon with pager and talkie attacks.

Air raid alarms sound in northern Israel

The rocket fire triggered air raid sirens across northern Israel, forcing thousands of residents to take cover. The Israeli military reported that many rockets were aimed at civilian areas, a dangerous departure from previous attacks on military positions.

A rocket hit near a residential building in Kiryat Bialik, injuring at least three people and causing fires in nearby buildings.

Victims and reaction from Lebanon

Lebanon's Health Ministry reported one person dead and one injured in an Israeli attack near the border. The attack followed a devastating Israeli airstrike in Beirut on Friday that left at least 45 people dead, including a prominent Hezbollah leader and scores of women and children.

The Israeli military confirmed that it had attacked around 400 militant sites in southern Lebanon in the past 24 hours, preventing a larger attack.

Israel-Lebanon – broader conflict dynamics

In addition to the rocket fire, the Israeli military intercepted several missiles fired from Iraq after Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Israel. As a precautionary measure, the Israeli Health Ministry announced that hospitals in the northern areas would move their operations to protected areas within their facilities.

Separately, Israeli forces searched the office of Al Jazeerawhich was banned earlier this year on the grounds that it served as a platform for militant propaganda – allegations that the broadcaster denies.

Middle East: Ongoing tensions and hostilities

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated since the Gaza war began nearly a year ago, when Hezbollah fired rockets in solidarity with Hamas. This ongoing violence has left dozens dead in Israel and hundreds in Lebanon, and forced thousands to flee on both sides.

Although neither side appears to be seeking all-out war, tensions have reached new heights. Hezbollah has refrained from attacks on major cities such as Tel Aviv, but has signaled that it is ready for further escalation. The group has said it will only stop its attacks if a ceasefire is agreed in Gaza – an agreement that remains elusive amid stalled negotiations led by the US, Egypt and Qatar.

Hezbollah’s new weapons and targeting strategies

Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for firing dozens of Fadi 1 and Fadi 2 rockets – a new type of weapon – at the Ramat David air base near Haifa in what it described as retaliation for previous Israeli attacks that caused civilian casualties.

The group also mentioned attacks on facilities of the Rafael defense company in Haifa in response to attacks that killed at least 37 Hezbollah members, including two children. While Israel has not officially confirmed its involvement in these incidents, it has stated that these actions are aimed at disrupting Hezbollah's operational capabilities.

In a major Israeli airstrike, an eight-story building in a densely populated Beirut neighborhood was attacked, causing numerous civilian casualties, including a senior Hezbollah official. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stressed that the operation disrupted Hezbollah's command structure and targeted individuals responsible for attacks against Israel.