Israel and Hezbollah in major missile exchange as escalation fears grow
SUMMARY
Hezbollah fired hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel on Sunday in retaliation for the assassination of commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, while Israel responded with pre-emptive strikes involving around 100 jets targeting Lebanon. The clashes, marking the most intense escalation in over ten months, resulted in three deaths in Lebanon and one in Israel. The violence began amid the ongoing Gaza conflict and heightened after an October 7th attack by Hamas gunmen on Israel. Both sides indicated a preference to avoid further escalation, with Hezbollah stating their attack was "completed as planned." Israel reported that all drones targeting a strategic site near Tel Aviv were intercepted. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered two aircraft carrier strike groups to the Middle East, while the UN called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
