Israel thwarts major Hezbollah attack, striking rocket launchers aimed at Tel Aviv

A fleet of more than 100 Israeli fighter jets hit dozens of targets in southern Lebanon early Sunday morning, aiming to thwart what Israel claimed was a imminent major attack by Hezbollah. Some of the rocket launchers aimed at Tel Aviv were supposed to fire at 5 a.m., according to intelligence officials.

At least three people in Lebanon were killed and two were injured, according to the local health ministry.

In response, Hezbollah said it fired hundreds of rockets back at Israel, aimed at military bases. But most were intercepted or landed in open spaces and only light damage and injuries were reported.

It was some of the heaviest fighting in months around the northern border. Both Israel and Hezbollah claimed success in the flareup, and Hamas praised Hezbollah for its attack.

Netanyahu addressed the news at the start of his weekly cabinet meeting Sunday, saying it was a “powerful, preemptive strike to eliminate the threat.”

He continued: “Israel is hitting Hezbollah with surprising, crushing blows. Three weeks ago we eliminated its chief of staff. Today we foiled its attack plan,” adding,”this is another step on the path to changing the situation in the north and returning our residents safely to their homes.”

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Hezbollah said its operation had “finished for the day,” and that this was the first stage of retaliation for the July assassination Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander, in Beirut. The leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, is expected to deliver a speech at 11 a.m. ET.

This is not “the end of the story,” Netanyahu said.

Zooming out

All of this is happening amid a backdrop of the potential for a broader regional war.

Iran is still mulling how to respond to the July 31 killing in Tehran of Ismail Haniyeh , Hamas’ political leader. Israel has been bracing for an Iranian attack for nearly a month. But Iran seems to have put its plans on hold while the latest round of ceasefire-for-hostage talks continue. Officials from the U.S., Egypt and Qatar have plans to meet today in Cairo to continue to iron out details of a plan. Regardless, it is unclear if the two principals — Israel and Hamas — will be able to move close to a peace deal that could ultimately stave off a wider war.

JTA contributed to this report.