Israel launches extensive strikes on Lebanon

Military confirms large wave of bombardment hours after attacks on northern Israeli city

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Israel’s military has launched new air strikes on Lebanon hours after a missile attack killed one person and wounded others in the northern Israeli city of Safed.

Israeli fighter jets “began an extensive wave of attacks in Lebanese territory” on Wednesday afternoon, the military confirmed in a statement on X.

It gave no further details.

There were initial reports of strikes in several areas across southern Nabatiyeh province.

Lebanese media reported that the strikes, which hit deeper inside the country than most previous attacks, killed at least four civilians, including children, and injured nine others.

The targeted towns include Aadchit, 15km from the border, Chehabiyah, 25km from the border, and Bouslaiya, Kfar Dunin and Souneh.

Unverified social media footage showed large plumes of smoke and destroyed buildings in Aadchit.

Cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces since the start of the Gaza war has killed at least 238 people in Lebanon, most of them Hezbollah fighters but also about 30 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

At least nine Israeli soldiers and seven civilians have been killed.

Israeli air strikes have primarily hit villages closer to the border, killing several high-profile figures from Hezbollah and allied groups.

The Israeli military has struck Beirut in central Lebanon once, in a drone strike that assassinated Hamas deputy leader Saleh Al Arouri in a suburb of the capital in January.

On Saturday, several people were killed in an Israeli drone strike on the town of Jadra, 60km north of the border, the second-deepest attack into Lebanese territory since October 8.

The latest wave of attacks came hours after a woman was killed and several others wounded in a missile attack on Safed, according to Israeli medics and police.

Hezbollah has yet to claim responsibility for the rocket barrage on Safed.

While many areas of northern Israel were evacuated in October, Safed Mayor Shuki Ohana says there is no plan to leave after the rocket attack.

Israeli media reported the army was preparing a “significant response”.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir described the attack as “a declaration of war”, calling for a change in how Israel manages the balance of forces on the Lebanese border.