The IDF began striking targets of the Hezbollah terrorist organization across Lebanon early Monday morning, after the terrorist organization fired rockets towards Israeli territory.

“In response to Hezbollah’s projectile fire toward the State of Israel, the IDF is currently striking Hezbollah targets,” said the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit in a statement.

“The Hezbollah terrorist organization is operating on behalf of the Iranian regime, opening fire against the State of Israel and its civilians. The IDF will operate against Hezbollah’s decision to join the campaign, and will not enable the organization to constitute a threat to the State of Israel and harm the civilians of northern Israel,” it added.

“The Hezbollah terrorist organization brings ruin to the State of Lebanon, and the IDF will forcefully respond to such actions. IDF troops have prepared for such a scenario as part of standard combat preparations as part of Operation ‘Roaring Lion’, and are prepared for an all-fronts scenario and for combating any threat against the State of Israel,” the statement concluded.

Later, the IDF said it struck senior Hezbollah terrorists in the Beirut area as well as a central Hezbollah terrorist in southern Lebanon.

The IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Ella Waweya, issued an evacuation warning for 53 villages in southern Lebanon.

“Hezbollah’s activity is forcing the IDF to act against it. The IDF does not wish to harm you,” she said in a video posted on social media, adding, “For your safety, you must evacuate your homes immediately and move at least 1,000 meters away from the villages into open areas. Anyone located near Hezbollah operatives, its facilities, or its weapons endangers his life.”

IDF Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, following the projectile fire launched from Lebanon, conducted a situational assessment with the IDF General Staff. The Chief of the General Staff approved future operational plans and instructed to carry out preparations for continuous offensive and defensive activity.

Zamir said during the situation assessment: “Hezbollah opened a campaign against Israel overnight, and is fully responsible for any escalation. IDF troops have prepared for such a scenario as part of standard combat preparations for Operation ‘Roaring Lion’. Any enemy that threatens our security will pay a heavy price – we will not allow any harm to come to the people of Israel and our northern border”.

Reports from Lebanon indicated that the IAF struck targets in Beirut, with explosions being heard in the Dahieh suburb of the Lebanese capital.

Earlier, at around 1:00 a.m., sirens sounded without prior warning in Haifa and its surroundings, as well as in communities located near the northern border.

The IDF said the sirens were activated following launches from Lebanon.

Three rockets were fired toward Israel in this barrage, one of which was intercepted and two which fell in open areas.

Magen David Adom reported no injuries in the barrage from Lebanon.

The interception of the rockets was carried out for the first time using the “Or Eitan” laser system.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching UAVs and rockets toward Israeli territory following the elimination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and in response to Israeli strikes. The organization said it had targeted a military site south of Haifa.

This is the first time the Hezbollah terrorist organization has fired missiles towards Israel since the ceasefire in Lebanon took effect in November 2024.

Israeli defense officials said that “Hezbollah carried out the launches from Lebanon – there will be an especially harsh response.”

Last week, a Hezbollah official told AFP that the terrorist organization will not intervene if the United States carries out “limited” strikes on Iran.

This being said, the official stated that any attack on Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would be a “red line.” Khamenei was eliminated in the US-Israeli strikes in Iran on the weekend.

Hezbollah was to have laid down its arms as part of the US-brokered ceasefire with Israel. However, the terrorist group has condemned the Lebanese government’s plan to disarm it and has repeatedly vowed to keep its arms.