The IDF has hit over 150 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon since midnight, including command centers and rocket infrastructure in Nabatieh and the Beqaa Valley, the military says. The escalation follows a Hezbollah anti-tank/drone ambush that killed Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, commander of the 52nd Battalion, and three other crew members in Kfar Tebnit. Defense Minister Katz says troops will remain in the southern Lebanon security zone.
The IDF confirmed it struck over 150 Hezbollah targets across Lebanon since midnight, expanding from the 80 targets reported earlier Friday. The escalation follows a Hezbollah anti-tank missile and drone ambush early Friday that killed Lt. Col. Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, commander of the 52nd Battalion, and three other soldiers in Kfar Tebnit. Prime Minister Netanyahu said the strikes killed dozens of operatives; Defense Minister Katz said troops will remain in the southern Lebanon security zone.
The lethal ambush was first reported by The Zioneer at 09:58 Jerusalem, when Hezbollah released footage claiming to show the strike. The IDF confirmed the deaths of the four soldiers shortly after. By 12:30 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that the IDF had struck over 80 targets, and Defense Minister Katz vowed a decisive response. Lebanese sources reported 28 villages struck and 23 killed by 12:56 Jerusalem. At 14:22, Netanyahu eulogized the battalion commander and said he had ordered the initial wave of strikes. By 16:38 Jerusalem, the IDF and Netanyahu both confirmed 150 targets and dozens of operatives killed. At 16:51, Hezbollah issued a detailed claim of responsibility for the ambush. The IDF Spokesperson said at 18:45 that Hezbollah's ongoing violations justify continued Israeli operations in southern Lebanon.
The escalation also struck Hezbollah infrastructure deep in the Beqaa Valley, as reported at 12:56 Jerusalem, and over 70 Hezbollah sites were hit in a prior operation on Sunday (June 14), according to a background report. The IDF has described systematic decapitation of Hezbollah's field command.
The exact sequence and munitions used in the tank strike — whether a drone or anti-tank missile — remain under investigation, as the IDF has not released a final cause.
4 developments
- StrongNetanyahu, Katz define Hezbollah attacks on IDF troops in southern Lebanon as ceasefire violations, ordering massive strikes
- StrongNetanyahu: Hezbollah will pay 'heavy price,' IDF instructed to strike with 'immense force'
- StrongNetanyahu confirms IDF strike on Hezbollah targets in Beirut's Dahiyeh
- DevelopingIDF says it struck 70+ Hezbollah sites, eliminated seven operatives from underground route
Source and signal
- Internal intake