In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for a series of massive rocket barrages fired at northern Israel this morning. According to Hezbollah, the attacks were in retaliation for the death of their senior commander, Taleb Abdullah, in what they allege was an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon last night.

Hezbollah announced that they had specifically targeted several Israeli military installations, including the Meron air traffic control base, the Amiad camp, and an armoured vehicle factory. These strikes mark some of the most significant attacks by the group since hostilities surged last October.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the scale of the attack, reporting that more than 160 rockets had been launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory. The IDF is currently assessing the damage and has not yet released information on casualties or the extent of the impact on the targeted military sites.

Last night’s airstrike in Lebanon’s Jouaiyya region, which Hezbollah attributes to Israel, resulted in the death of Taleb Abdullah and three other Hezbollah members. Abdullah was considered one of the group’s most senior officers, making his death a significant blow to the organization.

In response to the attacks, the IDF has raised its alert level and is expected to take retaliatory measures. The situation remains highly volatile, with both sides bracing for potential further escalations.

Israeli authorities have urged residents in the affected areas to seek shelter and follow security protocols as the military continues to respond to the ongoing threat. Meanwhile, international observers are closely monitoring the developments, concerned about the potential for broader conflict in an already tense region.

This incident underscores the fragile nature of peace in the area and the ever-present risk of rapid escalation between Hezbollah and Israel. The international community is calling for restraint from both sides to prevent a further spiral into violence.

As the situation develops, both Hezbollah and the IDF are expected to make further statements, and additional security measures are likely to be implemented in the coming days.