The Israeli military says it has struck Hezbollah targets “deep inside” Lebanese territory and in southern Lebanon.
“Overnight, the IAF (Israeli Air Force) struck a series of Hezbollah terror targets both deep inside Lebanese territory and in southern Lebanon, including weapons caches and terrorist infrastructure in the areas of Chabriha, Borj El Chmali, and Beqaa, Kfarkela, Rab El Thalathine, Khiam, and Tayr Harfa,” the military said.
It follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s warning that Lebanon’s militant group Hezbollah “will pay a heavy price” for an attack on a football pitch in the Golan Heights which killed at least 11 children and teenagers.
Israel blamed Hezbollah for Saturday’s strike in the Israeli-controlled region, but Hezbollah rushed to deny any role – something it seldom does.
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At least 10 killed in rocket attack
Mr Netanyahu, who cut short a trip to the US by several hours upon receiving news of the attack, said the Iran-backed militant group would be paying a price for the rocket attack it “has not paid so far”.
Foreign minister Israel Katz had earlier told Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 that Hezbollah “has crossed all the red lines here”, before adding: “We are nearing the moment in which we face an all-out war.”
Mr Netanyahu had warned Hezbollah would pay ‘a heavy price’ for the Golan Heights attack. Pic: AP
The Israeli military’s chief spokesman, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said 20 people were wounded in the Golan Heights strike.
He added it was the deadliest attack on Israeli civilians since Hamas fighters paraglided over the border from Gaza into southern Israel to carry out their 7 October massacre of 1,200 people.
The attack by Hamas, the Iran-backed militant group ruling Gaza, triggered Israel’s offensive on the besieged enclave.
According to local health officials in Gaza, the nearly 10-month war has killed more than 39,000 people. That count does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.
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Earlier on Saturday, an Israeli airstrike hit a school in central Gaza, killing at least 30 people, including seven children, Palestinian health officials said.
The Hamas-run health ministry said another 100 people were wounded.
Israel’s military said it targeted a Hamas command centre which it claimed was embedded inside the school.
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Israeli strike on school kills dozens
Israel and Hezbollah have been trading fire since 8 October.
In recent weeks, the exchange of fire along the Lebanon-Israel border has intensified, with Israeli airstrikes and rocket and drone attacks by Hezbollah striking deeper and further away from the border.