Israel and Hezbollah trade fire in major flare-up

A Hezbollah UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) is intercepted by Israeli air forces over northern Israel following what Israel called preemptive strikes against the militant group on Sunday, August 25. 

Hezbollah’s latest attack on Israel has been completed, but further strikes could be carried out in the future, the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, said in a televised speech Sunday evening.

Hezbollah launched its attack in retaliation for Israel’s assassination of its most senior military official, Fu’ad Shukr, in late July. 

Nasrallah said the militant group had delayed its response until Sunday to give “sufficient opportunity” for Gaza ceasefire negotiations to take place, to impose greater “mental and financial strain” inside Israel, and to ensure the attack’s success.

“We have been ready. We delayed because the extent of the Israeli and American security alert by air and land and sea was high, so rushing into it could’ve led to failure,” Nasrallah said.

Details on the attack: Hezbollah’s plan was to launch 300 Soviet-era Katyusha rockets to occupy Israel’s defense systems, Nasrallah said.

Fighters were instructed to target military infrastructure and avoid civilians, according to the Hezbollah chief. The two main targets were Israel’s Glilot Military Base and Ein Shemer Airfield, he said.

Israel has said that during the flurry of rockets, Hezbollah also launched drones at targets in central Israel, but that its defenses were able to knock the unmanned craft out of the sky.

Nasrallah said Hezbollah would assess the attack’s results before determining whether they will launch further strikes.

Israel’s strikes in Lebanon: The Hezbollah chief said Israel began striking about 30 minutes before Hezbollah’s operation began. The Israeli military deemed the attack “preemptive” and said it destroyed rocket launchers that would have been used to strike Israel.

“What happened was aggression, not preemptive action,” Nasrallah said. 

The militant group’s leader praised the “patience and courage” of people living in southern Lebanon, which was on the receiving end of much of Israel’s strikes. 

What Israel is saying: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also indicated Sunday that the fighting may not be done. “This is not the end of the matter,” he said in a video message.

Despite the two leaders’ rhetoric, it appears they have each backed away from the brink of a wider regional war for now.