Jerusalem/Beirut. In one of the largest confrontations since the border conflict began more than ten months ago, Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel early Sunday. Israel responded by deploying approximately 100 jets to strike Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, successfully thwarting what the Israeli military described as a “much larger attack.”

Missiles were seen streaking through the dawn sky, leaving dark vapor trails, as air raid sirens blared across northern Israel. A distant explosion briefly illuminated the horizon, while smoke billowed over homes in Khiam, southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military confirmed that while the attack caused damage in northern areas, no casualties were reported on their side. In contrast, three people were confirmed dead in Lebanon. Despite the intensity of the exchange, Hezbollah indicated that it did not plan further strikes at this time. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz emphasized, “We do not seek a full-scale war.”

The escalating conflict, which began alongside the ongoing war in Gaza, has raised concerns of a broader regional conflict that could draw in Hezbollah’s backer, Iran, and Israel’s primary ally, the United States.

Strikes Amid Ceasefire Negotiations

The timing of these strikes is particularly concerning as negotiators were in Cairo attempting to broker a ceasefire in Gaza. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, stated that it fired 320 Katyusha rockets towards Israel, hitting 11 military targets. This attack was described as the first phase of retaliation for Israel’s assassination of Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander, last month.

The Israeli military claimed to have prevented a more extensive attack with pre-emptive airstrikes, targeting over 40 Hezbollah launch sites across southern Lebanon. “The strikes destroyed thousands of launcher barrels, aimed primarily at northern Israel but also targeting some central areas,” stated an Israeli military spokesperson.

Hezbollah, however, dismissed Israel’s claims, asserting that their drones had been successfully launched as planned. They hinted that the remainder of their response to Shukr’s assassination “will take some time.”

Emergency Measures and International Reactions

As the conflict unfolded, Israel’s security cabinet convened early Sunday, with the full cabinet meeting later in the afternoon. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared a state of emergency, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s stance: “Whoever harms us – we harm him.”

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati held a session with the national emergency committee, and Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is expected to address the situation in a televised speech later in the day.

The conflict also affected air travel, with flights to and from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv suspended for about 90 minutes. Similar disruptions occurred in Beirut, leaving passengers stranded. “I just want to get out of here by any means possible,” said Rana Saade, a Lebanese woman residing in New Jersey.

The Growing Risk of a Broader Conflict

As sirens wailed in northern Israel, the Iron Dome aerial defense system intercepted multiple rockets from southern Lebanon. The Israeli ambulance service went on high alert, though no casualties were immediately reported.

In Lebanon, a security source reported that at least 40 Israeli strikes hit various towns in the south, marking one of the densest bombardments since hostilities began in October. The town of Khiam saw the death of a fighter from the Hezbollah-allied Amal group, while an Israeli strike on al-Tiri claimed two more lives. The identities of the deceased, whether fighters or civilians, were not immediately clear.

A resident of Zibqeen, a southern Lebanese town, described the early morning chaos: “I woke up to the sound of planes and the loud explosions of rockets—even before the dawn prayer. It felt like the apocalypse.”

International Concerns and Calls for Ceasefire

U.S. President Joe Biden is closely monitoring the situation, according to the White House. “We will keep supporting Israel’s right to defend itself, and we will keep working for regional stability,” stated National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett.

The U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon and the U.N.’s special coordinator’s office in the country have called on all parties to cease fire, expressing deep concern over the “worrying” developments. Egypt, involved in Gaza ceasefire negotiations, warned against the dangers of a new war front opening in Lebanon.

Hezbollah’s missile barrage followed the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas gunmen on Israel, marking the beginning of a series of exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel. The delicate balance of power seemed to shift after the missile strike in the Golan Heights, which Hezbollah denied responsibility for, and the subsequent assassination of Fuad Shukr, one of Hezbollah’s top military commanders.

Shukr’s death in an Israeli airstrike was soon followed by the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, sparking vows of retaliation against Israel by Iran. The region now watches with bated breath as the potential for further escalation looms.