Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant has recently completed a call with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Minister Gallant: “We have conducted precise strikes in Lebanon in order to thwart an imminent threat against the citizens of Israel. We are closely following developments in Beirut, and we are determined to use all the means at our disposal in order to defend our citizens.” Minister Gallant briefed the Secretary on IDF activities conducted over the past hour in Lebanon, in order to thwart an imminent threat against the State of Israel. Minister Gallant and Secretary Austin discussed the importance of avoiding regional escalation.

Hezbollah officially announces it has begun its retaliation for Israel’s assassination of its top commander, Fuad Shukr, last month.

Amid the escalating security concerns on Israel’s northern order, United Hatzalah’s Operations Division has instructed its 7,000 volunteers across the country to enter a state of heightened alertness. All of United Hatzalah’s volunteer medics, paramedics and doctors have been directed to verify the functionality of their medical equipment and all ambulance drivers and operational vehicles were instructed to remain in close proximity to their vehicles and respond as needed. Eli Beer, President and Founder of United Hatzalah, said: “Our volunteers are enhancing their readiness not only for potential crisis scenarios but also for ongoing routine emergencies.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant are currently stationed in the IDF’s underground command center, known as “the pit,” located at the military headquarters in Tel Aviv. A brief statement from the Prime Minister’s Office indicates that they are “managing the situation” in the northern region.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has announced a 48-hour state of emergency across the country. This declaration, referred to as a “special situation on the home front,” empowers the IDF Home Front Command to implement necessary restrictions during this period.

Dozens of Israeli war jets are carrying out airstrikes against Hezbollah across a broad swath of southern Lebanon tonight, in what is a preemptive move against a planned large-scale attack.

The Israel Airports Authority has announced that all departures from Ben Gurion Airport will be delayed for the next few hours. Incoming flights are being redirected to alternative airports in the region. This decision follows Israel’s preemptive airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, after the IDF detected the terror group preparing for a significant attack on Israel.

In a video statement, IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says: “A short while ago, the IDF identified the Hezbollah terrorist organization preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory.” “‌‏In a self-defense act to remove these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon, from which Hezbollah was planning to launch their attacks on Israeli civilians,” he says. “Hezbollah will soon fire rockets, and possibly missiles and UAVs, towards Israeli territory. ‌‏We will shortly update the Home Front Command Defensive guidelines for those in Israel,” Hagari continues.

Following the developments in the security situation and an overnight situation assessment by Director General Eli Bin, Magen David Adom has raised its alert status to the highest level across the entire country.