Hezbollah Claims Missile Attack on Northern Israel; Army Says All Rockets Were Intercepted

Lebanon's Hezbollah announced on Sunday, October 1, via its Telegram channel that it launched missiles towards Israel's military industrial complex in the northern city of Haifa in response to the explosions of pagers and wireless devices. According to the Times of Israel, Hezbollah fired at least 10 missiles towards northern Israeli cities in the Jezreel Valley late on Saturday, September 30. This marks the deepest missile attack by the Iran-backed militant group into Israel since the war began in October. Concurrently, the Israeli Air Force conducted several strikes in southern Lebanon. The Israeli army stated that most of the missiles fired from Lebanon were intercepted by air defense systems, with at least one missile hitting the area. According to rescue reports, a man in his sixties was lightly injured by shrapnel following an interception. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attacks and asserted that it targeted the Ramet David airbase of the Israeli Air Force, located 50 kilometers from the Lebanese border. The Israeli army also launched a wave of airstrikes against 110 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Saturday night, including missile launchers. The army reported that Hezbollah was preparing for large missile attacks on Israel. These strikes followed several waves of attacks on Hezbollah sites in Lebanon, during which the Israeli army targeted approximately 290 Hezbollah positions, including missile launchers and other facilities. In total, thousands of missile launchers were targeted in these attacks, and the Israeli army promised to continue its operations to 'destroy and weaken' Hezbollah's capabilities. The Israeli army also announced that it had destroyed about 180 targets in southern Lebanon, including thousands of launchers ready for immediate attacks on Israel. Meanwhile, officials imposed new restrictions on residents of the Haifa area and northern regions as the country prepares for potential widespread attacks from Hezbollah, following heavy blows the group suffered in recent days. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli army spokesperson, stated at a press conference on Saturday evening that throughout the day, the Israeli army struck more than 400 Hezbollah missile launchers. During these clashes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held security consultations with senior ministers and defense officials. According to new guidelines for northern residents issued by the Home Front Command, work and educational activities will only be possible in locations with suitable shelters nearby where individuals can reach in time. Additionally, gatherings in open spaces are limited to a maximum of 30 people and in closed spaces to a maximum of 300 people. The Israeli army spokesperson, Hagari, indicated before the missile strikes towards the Jezreel Valley that guidelines may change in the coming hours and warned that missiles and other threats could be launched towards Israel in the coming hours. He added, 'If there are further changes, we will inform you quickly throughout the night or tomorrow. It is possible that in the near future, missiles and other threats will be directed against Israel. We ask you to follow the Home Front Command's guidelines.' The commander of the Israeli Air Force, Major General Tomer Bar, announced that the air force is at the highest level of readiness. He stated in a meeting with air force commanders, 'We are maintaining the highest possible level of readiness in the air force.'