Israel strikes Hezbollah sites deep in Lebanon following 60-rocket barrage on Sabbath

Following a significant escalation in rocket attacks over the weekend, with around 20 rockets being launched at Israel’s north on Friday and another 60 rockets during the Sabbath, the IDF struck Hezbollah weapons facilities deep in Lebanon on Saturday evening. 

The rocket attacks on Saturday marked the second day in a row that Hezbollah targeted the northern city of Safed, which lies only 13 kilometers (8 miles) from the Lebanese border. The city, with a population of approximately 38,000, was never officially evacuated since the conflict began, as Hezbollah has typically targeted cities closer to the border, such as Kiryat Shmona.

There were two main salvos of rockets targeting Safed, with 20 rockets being launched in the first salvo at around 1 a.m. and about 35 more in the second salvo shortly after. There were scattered launches in the following hours, as well. 

The Israeli military reported there were no reported casualties from the launches, with most rockets being intercepted by Iron Dome air defense systems and the rest landing in open areas. 

Shortly after the morning rocket barrages, the IDF destroyed a rocket launch facility in a drone strike, while another airstrike eliminated one of the launchers used against Israel on Friday evening. 

A building in Kfar Roummane in southern Lebanon, being used by Hezbollah forces, was hit in an IDF airstrike shortly after. 

Later on Saturday, Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets struck a military facility where Hezbollah terrorists were operating and another military building belonging to the terror group in the area of ​​Leida in southern Lebanon. 

מטוסי קרב תקפו מוקדם יותר היום מבנה צבאי בו פעלו מחבלים של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה ומבנה צבאי נוסף של הארגון במרחב בליידא שבדרום לבנון.

בנוסף, צה"ל תקף בירי ארטילרי במרחב עייתא א-שעב שבדרום לבנון pic.twitter.com/VveFrnYk30

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) September 14, 2024

On Saturday evening, the IDF struck military depots belonging to Hezbollah in Bekaa and Baalbak, deep within Lebanese territory. 

מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר תקפו בשעה האחרונה, בהכוונת אמ״ן ופיקוד הצפון, מחסני אמל״ח של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בבקעא ובבעלבכ שבעומק לבנון.

בנוסף, מטוסי קרב תקפו מחסני אמל"ח ומבנה צבאי של ארגון הטרור חיזבאללה בשבעה מרחבים שונים בדרום לבנון pic.twitter.com/lsehAEJaI8

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) September 14, 2024

Hezbollah claimed the launches were revenge for Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Friday. The IDF said it had targeted sites used by the terror group and its operatives for launches on Friday.