Hezbollah Launches Over 200 Missiles At Israeli Military Sites

Hezbollah fighters attend the funeral procession of senior Hezbollah commander Wissam Tawil, during his funeral procession in the village of Khirbet Selm, south Lebanon, Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

Hezbollah has launched a significant retaliatory strike against Israeli military sites, firing more than 200 missiles following the killing of one of its senior commanders in southern Lebanon. Muhammed Neamah Naser, a commander in Hezbollah's Aziz Unit, was reportedly 'eliminated' by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday. The IDF accused Naser of directing terror attacks both before and after Hamas' October 7 attacks from Gaza.

The IDF described Naser as a key figure alongside Sami Taleb Abdullah, another Hezbollah commander whose recent killing also led to retaliatory strikes. The IDF stated that both Naser and Abdullah were among the most significant Hezbollah terrorists in southern Lebanon.

In response to Naser's killing, Hezbollah confirmed on Thursday that it had launched more than 200 missiles of various types at Israeli targets. The Israeli military reported intercepting some of these missiles and drones, with resulting fires from falling shrapnel.

Following Hezbollah's missile strikes, the IDF conducted retaliatory airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon overnight. The IDF stated that they targeted a military structure and three 'terrorist infrastructure sites.' Hezbollah later announced that one of its fighters had been killed in the Israeli airstrikes.

IDF accuses Hezbollah of directing terror attacks.

Hezbollah launches over 200 missiles at Israeli targets.

Key Hezbollah commanders Naser and Abdullah killed by IDF.

The recent hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon border have escalated since the October 7 attacks, with frequent cross-border fire exchanges between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah. The situation has been intensifying, raising concerns of a potential full-blown conflict.

Hezbollah, known as one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East, has tens of thousands of fighters and a substantial missile arsenal. The group has stated that its current conflict with Israel aims to support Palestinians in Gaza.

According to Reuters tallies, Israeli attacks in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of over 300 Hezbollah fighters and approximately 90 civilians. In contrast, Israel has reported 18 soldiers and 10 civilians killed due to fire from Lebanon.