Israel launches attacks against Iran-backed freedom fighters in Lebanon

The Israeli military announced early Sunday that it was carrying out preemptive strikes in Lebanon after detecting preparations for “large-scale” attacks by the Iran-backed freedom fighter group Hezbollah.

The military also warned the Israelis against attacking Hezbollah rockets and drones.

In an Arabic-language message to residents of southern Lebanon, the military said: “We are monitoring Hezbollah's preparations to carry out large-scale attacks on Israeli territory near your homes. You are in danger. We are attacking and eliminating Hezbollah's threats.”

“Anyone who is near areas where Hezbollah operates should leave immediately to protect themselves and their families,” the message published on Telegram continued.

In a separate statement released shortly before 5:00 a.m. (01:00 GMT), the military said its jets had attacked targets in Lebanon “that posed an imminent threat” to the Israelis.

In a video released at the same time, military spokesman Daniel Hagari announced the attacks, stating that “Hezbollah will soon fire rockets and possibly missiles and drones into Israeli territory.”

“Right next to the homes of Lebanese civilians in southern Lebanon, we can see that Hezbollah is preparing a full-scale attack on Israel, endangering Lebanese civilians,” he added, calling on civilians there to “get out of the danger zone.”

“Hezbollah’s continued aggression risks drawing the people of Lebanon, the people of Israel and the entire region into a broader escalation.”

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