Israel's 'Preemptive' Attack on Southern Lebanon; Netanyahu: This Attack is Not the End of the Story

The Israeli army announced the start of a 'preemptive attack' to prevent actions by the Hezbollah group, stating that it targeted areas in southern Lebanon with airstrikes. Najib Mikati, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, in his first reaction to the Israeli attack on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Sunday morning, said his government is in contact with 'all parties to prevent the escalation of the situation.' Mr. Mikati stated that the aggression in Gaza must first be stopped, adding that Lebanon supports international efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, warned Hezbollah hours later during a meeting with his cabinet that the attacks on Sunday in Lebanon are 'not the last word' in the military campaign against this group. He stated in the cabinet meeting: 'We are delivering surprising and crushing blows to Hezbollah... This is another step to change the situation in the north and return our residents safely to their homes. I repeat, this is not the end of the story.' Mr. Netanyahu mentioned that the Israeli army intercepted all drones that Hezbollah had launched towards a strategic target in central Israel and destroyed thousands of rockets aimed at northern Israel before they were launched. He added that Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, in Beirut, and Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 'must know that today's operations by Israel are a step towards changing the situation in northern Israel to safely return residents to their homes.' He also declared: 'We are determined to do whatever it takes to defend our country, so that residents in the north can return to their homes and adhere to a simple rule: whoever harms us, we will harm them.' The Israeli army announced on Sunday morning that it began this attack after learning of Hezbollah's intention to launch a large-scale missile and rocket attack towards the country. Immediately after the Israeli army's statement, Hezbollah announced that in 'initial response' to the killing of Foad Shukr, a senior military commander of the group, it attacked Israel with 'a large number of drones.' The group affiliated with the Islamic Republic later stated that the 'first phase' of its response had been completed. Hezbollah also claimed to have fired 'over 320 rockets and drones' towards northern Israel, targeting '11 military sites.' Reuters quoted an 'official' member of Hezbollah, without naming him, stating that the group acted in a way to prevent a widespread war. This Hezbollah member added that his group had delayed its response 'for political considerations,' especially 'due to negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza.' The New York Times, citing Lebanon's state news agency affiliated with the country's Ministry of Information, reported that the Israeli attacks were the most severe operations in the past ten and a half months. The report indicated significant damage to infrastructure, including water and electricity facilities in southern Lebanon. Meanwhile, Lebanese social media shared images of a car burning in Khiam in southern Lebanon and reported the death of a man. The Al-Hadath network announced that the deceased was a member of the Shia Amal movement. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that two people were killed in the town of Tayri in the Nabatieh province in southern Lebanon during the Israeli attacks. The identities of these individuals were not disclosed. In targeted Israeli attacks during the ten and a half months of war until this past Saturday, about 430 members of Hezbollah and around one hundred other activists from other militant groups that had acted against Israel were killed. On Friday, Israel killed at least seven members of Hezbollah in various operations. Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of its forces, which included several senior field commanders of the group. On Sunday, UNIFIL, the United Nations peacekeeping forces stationed in southern Lebanon, stated that developments at the Israel-Lebanon border are 'worrying.' The force added that its members continue to contact all parties to prevent the escalation of the crisis. Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israeli army, stated on Sunday morning that the rocket launchers that Hezbollah had targeted towards Tel Aviv had been destroyed. He mentioned in a press conference on Saturday night that Israel is on the verge of a 'significant week.' According to Israeli army radio, some of Hezbollah's rockets were ready to be launched towards Ben Gurion Airport. The New York Times also reported that in its preemptive attack, Israel targeted launchers 'that were supposed to fire missiles at Tel Aviv at five in the morning.' A photo published by the Israeli Prime Minister's account on X showed Benjamin Netanyahu at the end of an emergency security-political cabinet meeting stating that Israel identified Hezbollah's readiness to attack Israel from early Sunday morning and issued an order to neutralize the threat. The Israeli Prime Minister added that after consulting with the Defense Minister and the Chief of Staff, they requested the army to take active measures to neutralize this threat. According to him, the army, after receiving this directive, destroyed 'thousands of rockets' aimed at northern Israel and neutralized 'many other threats.' Mr. Netanyahu stated, 'The threats were neutralized with force - the army acts in both defense and attack.' He added, 'We are determined to do whatever it takes to protect our country and return residents in the north safely to their homes.' According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel has sent a 'message' that it does not intend to expand operations and that its military operations have concluded. The report added that Hezbollah is currently assessing the damage incurred. Additionally, Hezbollah, in its third statement released on Sunday morning following the start of Israel's 'preemptive' attacks, announced that Hassan Nasrallah, the group's Secretary-General, will speak today and will clarify the false 'Israeli claims.' According to the Associated Press, sirens sounded across northern Israel on Sunday morning. Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv was closed for several hours on Sunday morning but announced at seven in the morning local time that it would resume flights and that passengers should ensure their readiness before flying. Israeli army radio reported that the country did not attack a target in Beirut at this stage to prevent the escalation of the crisis. Israeli army radio also emphasized that this 'preemptive action' was taken after it was confirmed that Hezbollah had prepared its missile platforms to launch hundreds of missiles at five in the morning on Sunday towards various areas of Israel, including Tel Aviv. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, a senior Israeli political official stated on Sunday that the country acted alone in its preemptive attack against Hezbollah but coordinated all necessary actions with the Americans. This Israeli official added that the country acted to neutralize an imminent threat and that 'all options are on the table and we are prepared for any eventuality.' The name of this official was not disclosed, but he appears to be a senior source in the Israeli Prime Minister's office. Additionally, Yisrael Katz, the Israeli Foreign Minister, sent a message to his counterparts in countries worldwide on Sunday morning, stating that support for Israel in this situation is important. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States 'made an unannounced trip' to Jordan, emphasizing that the Israeli attack began after definitive knowledge of imminent attacks by Hezbollah. Meanwhile, Yoav Gallant, the Israeli Defense Minister, declared a 'special situation' throughout the home front and all areas of the country. Yoav Gallant also stated that he spoke with his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, and informed him about the attack in Lebanon. According to Reuters, this order gives the Israeli army special powers to establish regulations within the country. At the same time, the Kan Israel network reported that the country is also prepared for possible attacks from other Iranian proxy groups in the region, but there were no such attacks in the early hours of Sunday. The report indicated that the regional situation regarding potential attacks from the Houthis in Yemen or groups loyal to Iran in Iraq was 'calm.' According to military sources in Israel, they are prepared for any eventuality indicating that regional militia groups may join Hezbollah. The White House issued a statement indicating that President Joe Biden is closely monitoring developments in Israel and Lebanon and continues to support Israel's right to defend itself. The Israeli army's preemptive attack coincided with the unexpected visit of General Charles Brown, the Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, who is in the region. He met with senior military officials in Jordan on Saturday. Prior to him, General Michael Eric Kurilla, the commander of CENTCOM, had visited Israel and regional countries three times recently. On the evening of Tuesday, August 1, the Israeli army announced an airstrike on southern Beirut, killing Foad Shukr, the highest-ranking commander of Hezbollah, in retaliation for an attack in the Majdal Shams area. The IRGC also attributed the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran to Israel, stating that it occurred around two in the morning on Wednesday, August 2, while Israeli officials have not officially claimed responsibility for the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. The state of emergency in most of Israel was lifted. The Israeli army lifted the state of emergency in central Israel and surrounding areas except for the northern sections at 1 PM local time. According to Israeli media, the lifting of this status indicates that the army believes there will be no further attack from Hezbollah targeting central Israeli areas in the coming hours. However, the army has advised people in central Israel, such as Tel Aviv and its satellite cities, where about half of Israel's population resides, to remain vigilant and follow any new instructions. Beaches in Haifa, Tel Aviv, Herzliya, and the shores of Lake Kinneret in Tiberias were opened to the public following the lifting of the state of emergency. According to Kan network, a major domestic league football match scheduled for Sunday night at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, where thousands had purchased tickets to attend, will proceed as planned. In contrast, mayors and residents in northern Israeli areas where the state of emergency remains in effect have described the Israeli army's operations as severely limited and inadequate, demanding that operations continue and expand to eliminate the threat to the lives of people in northern cities.