The Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah launched 320 Katyusha rockets against strategic targets in Israel in the early morning of Sunday, August 25. A few hours after the strikes, Hezbollah said in a statement that the first phase of the announced attack to respond to the assassination of the movement’s top commander, Fuad Shukr, on July 31, has been completed.
The statement also said the operation included attacks by a large number of drones towards the interior of Israel, specifically towards a significant military target yet to be named by the movement.
Israel responded by launching what it called pre-emptive intensified strikes on various areas of southern Lebanon, killing at least three people. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a 48-hour state of emergency, limiting gatherings and closing sites, after the attacks were launched. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the Israeli strikes, stating that they “were not the end of the story.”
Later on Sunday, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah delivered a speech detailing the movement’s large-scale operation and explaining the reasons for its delay. Nasrallah stated that the American and Israeli mobilization was one reason, and another was to allow sufficient time for Gaza’s ongoing ceasefire talks. Additionally, the delay was intended to punish the Israeli enemy, Nasrallah said.
Nasrallah explained that the operation targeted military sites directly linked to the assassination of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. This included the Galilot base, a central intelligence facility housing Unit 8200, which is responsible for conducting covert operations, gathering signals intelligence, and deciphering codes.
Hezbollah’s massive attack was met with praise by the Palestinian movement Hamas, who described it as a “slap in the face” for Tel Aviv. Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement congratulated Hezbollah for the operation as well. “This powerful and effective response deep within the Israeli entity, which remains ongoing, confirms that the resistance is capable, strong, and true to its promises and warnings”. Ansar Allah said that its “response is certainly coming” and that “the days, nights, and the battlefield will prove this.”
