Israel’s military reported that approximately 250 rockets were launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon, marking one of the most intense attacks since hostilities escalated in September.
According to Israeli police, several people were injured, and buildings were damaged in northern and central Israel, including areas near Tel Aviv.
These strikes followed an Israeli air raid on central Beirut on Saturday, which the Lebanese health ministry stated resulted in 29 deaths.
On Sunday, Israeli media widely suggested that Israel and Lebanon were progressing toward a ceasefire agreement to end hostilities with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia.
Following reports of heavy rocket fire, Israeli police noted debris falling in the Tel Aviv area. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that a direct hit had left homes in one neighborhood engulfed in flames and debris.
Israeli media reported rocket impacts in Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv, as well as in Haifa, Nahariya, and Kfar Blum in northern Israel.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility, stating it had launched precision missiles at two military sites in Tel Aviv and nearby areas, responding to the Beirut strike.
Later, the IDF announced that it had conducted operations against 12 Hezbollah command centers in Dahieh, a known stronghold in southern Beirut.
Lebanon’s health ministry on Sunday raised the death toll from 20 to 29 from a massive Israeli strike launched without warning on central Beirut. It said a total of 84 people had been killed in the country Saturday.
The IDF has not commented on Saturday’s attack, but Israeli media reported at the time that it was an attempt to kill Mohammed Haydar, a top Hezbollah official.
Israel’s stated goal in its war against Hezbollah is to allow the return of about 60,000 residents who have been displaced from communities in northern Israel because of the group’s attacks.
Since October 2023, over 3,670 people have been killed and at least 15,400 injured in Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities, with more than one million displaced from their homes.
In recent weeks, Israel has ramped up its offensive against Hezbollah.
On Sunday, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, citing Israeli and U.S. officials, reported that Israel had approved moving forward with a U.S.-proposed ceasefire deal with Lebanon. However, the report noted that some differences between the parties still need to be resolved.