MSRAM air missile defense (IAI)
A much anticipated escalation of hostilities between Israel and the Hezbollah terrorist organization based in Lebanon may have just come. Overnight, Hezbollah fired approximately 150 rockets into Israeli territory. Fortunately, there were no casualties. The attack came just before the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched what must have been a previously planned strike on Hezbollah bases in Lebanon in which it said 100 of its air force jets attacked more than 1,000 Hezbollah rocket launchers that the IDF said were prepared for “immediate launches” towards northern and central of Israel.
Since the October 7 Hamas massacre almost 11 months ago and the ensuing Iron Swords War launched by Israel to eliminate the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza, Hezbollah has indiscriminately launched rockets and missiles at Israeli civilian areas on a weekly basis.
However, for the first time Hezbollah overnight launched rockets at the Tel Aviv area.
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“The IDF identified the Hezbollah terrorist organization preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory. In response to these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon,” the IDF said in a statement. “Israeli Air Force fighter jets are currently striking targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization that posed an imminent threat to the citizens of the State of Israel.”
The IDF also issued a warning to the people of southern Lebanon to evacuate for their own safety, saying Hezbollah “is preparing to launch an extensive attack on Israel, while endangering the Lebanese civilians.”
“We warn Lebanese civilians in southern Lebanon: we have identified that Hezbollah is firing extensively into Israeli territory near your homes—you are in danger. We are targeting and removing Hezbollah’s threats,” said IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
Ben Gurion airport was closed for several hours Sunday morning.
While it is now open for business, several international airlines such as Wiz canceled all flights. This left Israelis abroad stranded for the time being. Many people arrived at the airport Sunday morning only to find out that their flights abroad were canceled.
Israel’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant has declared a “special situation on the home front” across the country.
The declaration on the state of emergency enabled the IDF to issue instructions to the citizens of Israel, including limiting gatherings and closing sites where it may be relevant.
As such, the IDF’s Home Front Command issued restrictions on public activities in areas located from greater Tel Aviv north to the border with Lebanon. Outdoor gatherings are limited to no more than 30 people and must take place near closed protected spaces. In addition, beaches are closed and cultural events are suspended until further notice.
Minister Gallant also updated U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the situation in a telephone call.
Minister Gallant briefed the Secretary on IDF activities conducted over the past hour in Lebanon, in order to thwart an imminent threat against the State of Israel. He and Secretary Austin discussed the importance of avoiding regional escalation. Minister Gallant emphasized that Israel’s defense establishment is determined to defend the citizens of Israel and will use all the means at its disposal to remove imminent threats.
“We have conducted precise strikes in Lebanon in order to thwart an imminent threat against the citizens of Israel,” said Gallant. “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.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a special meeting on Sunday morning with Israel’s Security Cabinet to review the situation.
“This morning we identified Hezbollah preparations to attack Israel,” he said. “In consensus with the Defense Minister and the IDF Chief-of-Staff, we directed the IDF to initiate action to eliminate the threat.”
“Since then, the IDF has been taking strong action to foil the threats,” added Netanyahu. “It has eliminated thousands of rockets that were aimed at northern Israel. It is thwarting many other threats and taking very strong defensive and offensive action.”
“We are determined to do everything to defend our country, to return the residents of the north securely to their homes and to continue upholding a simple rule: Whoever harms us – we will harm them,” he declared.
