Israeli Air Force fighter jets are currently striking targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization that posed an imminent and extensive threat to the citizens of the State of Israel, IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said early Sunday morning.
Hezbollah was reportedly preparing to fire about 6,000 rockets and missiles at Israel when the IDF launched its pre-emptive strike.
Following the strikes, and in accordance with the IDF Home Front Command’s situational assessment, life-saving guidelines for the public in certain areas of Israel will be published.
As part of the latest assessment of the situation, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared a special situation in the home front throughout the country.
The declaration of the state of emergency will allow the IDF to set special instructions for the population, limit gatherings and close sites in relevant areas.
“A short while ago, the IDF identified the Hezbollah terrorist organization preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory,” said Hagari.
“In a self-defense act to remove these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon, from which Hezbollah was planning to launch their attacks on Israeli civilians. This follows more than 6,700 rockets, missiles, and explosive UAVs fired by Hezbollah at Israeli families, homes, and communities since October 8th.”
“Hezbollah will soon fire rockets, and possibly missiles and UAVs, towards Israeli territory. We will shortly update the Home Front Command Defensive guidelines for those in Israel,” continued the IDF Spokesperson.
“From right next to the homes of Lebanese civilians in the South of Lebanon, we can see that Hezbollah is preparing to launch an extensive attack on Israel, while endangering the Lebanese civilians. We warn the civilians located in the areas where Hezbollah is operating, to move out of harm's way immediately for their own safety,” he stated.
“Hezbollah’s ongoing aggression risks dragging the people of Lebanon, the people of Israel- and the whole region- into a wider escalation. Israel will not tolerate Hezbollah’s attacks on our civilians,” Hagari made clear.
“We are operating in self defense from Hezbollah - and any other enemy that joins in their attacks against us- and we are ready to do everything we need to defend the people of Israel."
The preventive action against Hezbollah was approved in discussions that took place overnight. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are in the Kirya base in Tel Aviv. The security cabinet will convene on Sunday morning at 7:00 a.m.
Sources in Lebanon reported that about 40 targets were attacked by the IDF.
In the meantime, sirens were sounded in a number of towns in the Upper Galilee. Several explosions were detected, there were no injuries.
Following the IDF's announcement, residents of the conflict line and towns in the Golan were asked to stay close to shelters.
The Israel Airports Authority stated, "Due to the security situation, the departures this morning from Ben Gurion Airport will be delayed, and will not take off in the next few hours. Flights en route to Ben Gurion Airport will be directed to alternative airports in the region. It is recommended that the traveling public keep up to date with the various airlines on changes in schedules."
The Magen David Adom spokesperson announced that "following the security situation and after an assessment of the situation tonight by MDA CEO Eli Bin, Magen David Adom has raised its alertness level and is on peak preparedness all around the country."