On August 25, 2024, Hezbollah launched a massive attack against Israel, dubbed ‘Operation Day 40’, in retaliation for the assassination of its senior military commander, Fuad Shukr. The operation, described by Hezbollah as the ‘first phase’ of its response, involved over 320 rockets and dozens of drones targeting multiple Israeli military installations.Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, outlined a two-phase strategy: first, firing rockets to overwhelm Israel’s Iron Dome defense system, then launching drones towards central Israel. The group claimed to have targeted 11 Israeli military sites, including bases near Tel Aviv and in the Golan Heights.Israel, however, asserts that it had detected Hezbollah’s preparations and launched a preemptive strike. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had ordered a counteroffensive involving approximately 100 fighter jets, claiming to have destroyed thousands of Hezbollah’s rocket launchers and targeted numerous areas in Lebanon.Both sides have presented conflicting accounts of the attack’s outcomes. Hezbollah insists the operation was successful, with some projectiles reaching their targets. Israel, conversely, maintains that it thwarted most of the attack, with minimal damage to its military installations.Casualty reports vary, with Israel confirming one soldier killed and two injured, while Lebanon reported three casualties from Israeli strikes.The incident has significantly escalated tensions in the region. Israel has declared a 48-hour state of emergency and temporarily closed Ben Gurion Airport. The United States has expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defense while urging for regional stability.Both Hezbollah and Israel have hinted at the possibility of further action. Nasrallah suggested that this might not be the end of their retaliation, while Netanyahu warned that Israel’s response may continue.The exchange marks one of the largest confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah since 2006, raising concerns about a potential wider regional conflict and its implications for ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
Key points
- Hezbollah launched ‘Operation Day 40’ against Israel, involving over 320 rockets and dozens of drones.
- Israel claims to have conducted a preemptive strike, deploying around 100 fighter jets against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.
- Both sides claim success in their operations, with conflicting reports on casualties and damage.
- The incident has heightened regional tensions, with concerns about potential escalation into a wider conflict.
Contradictions👾Hezbollah claims its operation was successful in hitting targets, while Israel asserts it thwarted most of the attack.
👾Israel states it conducted a preemptive strike based on intelligence, but Hezbollah describes its attack as a response to a previous Israeli assassination.
