Israeli minister of defense: Israel attacked Hezbollah preemptively
In a call tonight with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant explained Israel’s military action as preemptive and designed to protect its citizens.
Gallant declared a “special situation on the home front” in response to the back-and-forth strikes with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, saying the move can restrict gatherings to increase Israelis’ safety during the battle.
On the call, he told Austin that Israeli forces knew Hezbollah planned to attack it tonight for its assassination of a top commander last month and thus launched its preemptive operation, according to a statement provided by the Israel’s defense ministry.
“We have conducted precise strikes in Lebanon in order to thwart an imminent threat against the citizens of Israel,” he told Austin. “We are closely following developments in Beirut, and we are determined to use all the means at our disposal in order to defend our citizens.”
Both men discussed the importance of avoiding regional escalation in Israel’s ongoing war with Hamas militants in Gaza, with whom Iran and Hezbollah sympathize, according to the defense ministry.
Austin “reaffirmed the United States’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s defense against any attacks by Iran and its regional partners and proxies,” according to a readout of the call provided by Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.
Israel had evidence Hezbollah was about to attack, military spokesperson says
Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a statement tonight that leaders believed Hezbollah was preparing to attack.
“We conducted preemptive strikes after seeing Hezbollah starting to get ready to attack us,” he said. “We will do all it takes to protect Israel.”
He urged Israelis to be vigilant. “People can go out as long as there is shelter nearby,” he said.
Israelis stage heavy airstrikes in Lebanon as Hezbollah launches drone attack on Israel
Israel launched a series of intense airstrikes in southern Lebanon early Sunday in what it said was a pre-emptive strike against the Hezbollah militant group, threatening to trigger a broader regionwide war that could torpedo efforts to forge a cease-fire in Gaza.
The army said Hezbollah was planning to launch a heavy barrage of rockets and missiles toward Israel. The Iranian-backed group had been promising to retaliate for Israel’s assassination of a top commander late last month.
Air raid sirens were reported throughout northern Israel, and Israel’s Ben-Gurion international airport began diverting incoming flights and delaying takeoffs.
Soon afterward, Hezbollah announced it had launched an attack on Israel with a “large number of drones” as an initial response to the killing of Fouad Shukur, a top commander with the group, in a strike in Beirut’s southern suburbs last month.
Read More: Live updates: Israel launches strikes against Hezbollah in Lebanon
