Tel Aviv, Israel – In an unprecedented attack on Wednesday, Hezbollah fired a missile near Tel Aviv, reaching deep into Israel’s commercial heartlands and escalating tensions between the two sides. This marked the first time a missile from Hezbollah has come this close to the city, as sirens blared in Tel Aviv and the central city of Netanya, prompting Israel’s air defenses to intercept the surface-to-surface missile.
Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the missile launch. Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, stated that they targeted the headquarters of Israel’s intelligence service Mossad with a Qadr 1 ballistic missile, in retaliation for recent attacks. Israeli military confirmed that the missile was intercepted near Tel Aviv and launched strikes on its launcher in southern Lebanon.
Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani described the intercepted missile as “heavy” and “long range,” noting that it was the first time Hezbollah had fired towards Tel Aviv. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah had previously warned of targeting Israel’s economic center if provoked. The exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah continued, with casualties reported in Lebanon as a result of Israeli strikes on Hezbollah.
Israel has been conducting extensive strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, targeting infrastructure that they claim are embedded in residential areas. The conflict has resulted in projectiles crossing into Israel from Lebanon, with some causing damage and disruptions in the northern part of the country. Thousands of people have been displaced in Israel’s northern region due to the ongoing fighting between Israel, Palestinian groups, and Hezbollah.
In the midst of the escalating conflict, the UN children’s agency UNICEF has expressed concerns about children trapped under rubble and caught in dangerous situations due to the airstrikes. The healthcare system in Lebanon is overwhelmed by the influx of wounded individuals, with hospitals struggling to provide adequate care to the injured. The number of displaced people is increasing, with families fleeing their homes to seek safety in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut.
As the situation remains volatile, Israeli forces have warned displaced residents in southern Lebanon not to return to their homes as military operations against Hezbollah intensify. The conflict shows no signs of abating, with both sides continuing to engage in airstrikes and rocket attacks. The impact of the violence on civilians, especially children, is a growing concern as casualties rise on both sides.