Israel launched extensive "pre-emptive" air strikes on southern Lebanon early August 25, saying it aimed to thwart a planned attack by the militant group Hezbollah, which has been swiftly returned with rocket launches back into northern Israel. 

The Israeli strike has potentially triggered the most significant exchange of fire between the two sides since their 2006 war. It could pull other countries and groups allied with Hezbollah into the fight, including Iran and Iraq’s militias who have previously struck Israel.

Israeli military sources told local media the country had deployed about 100 jets to target thousands of rocket launchers at roughly 40 sites in Lebanon after identifying what it called preparations by the Iran-backed Hezbollah "to fire missiles and rockets" at the Jewish state.

Hezbollah swiftly retaliated, claiming it had fired more than 300 Katyusha rockets at Israel, hitting the north of the country. The group added the barrage targeted 11 military sites in northern Israel and the occupied Golan Heights.

Israel’s Mateh Asher Regional Council head Moshe Davidovich, Metula Regional Council head David Azoulai and Upper Galilee Regional Council head Giora Zelz said in a joint statement that they "are suspending communication with all government entities until a complete and comprehensive solution is reached for the residents and children of the northern border."

The two demanded "a solution that includes full security for the return of the displaced from their homes, ensuring the well-being of all residents and approval of an economic plan for the rehabilitation of the north."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting and said: "We are determined to do everything to defend our country, to return the residents of the north securely to their homes and to continue upholding a simple rule: Whoever harms us – we will harm them."

Hezbollah rejected Israel's claims of pre-emptive action against the Lebanese group, asserting that its forces had successfully launched drones and rockets into Israeli territory.

A Hezbollah source, speaking anonymously to Qatar's al-Araby TV, said the group had "managed to deceive the Israeli army to launch heavy barrages of rockets" and had struck two "strategic" sites near Tel Aviv.

"The Israeli military's claims of thwarting the Hezbollah attack are unfounded as our drones have successfully penetrated the airspace over the occupied territories," the source stated.

The source added: "All offensive drones were launched at specific times from all of their sites" towards "intended targets from multiple routes."

Dismissing Israeli reports, the source said: "Israel's claims about its pre-emptive actions, the targets it allegedly hit, and its supposed disruption of the Resistance's attack are baseless and contradict the facts on the ground."

Lebanon's Hezbollah-linked al-Mayadeen TV, citing unnamed sources, reported that Hezbollah's attack was "carried out accurately and effectively" despite "significant American intelligence and operational support" to Israel.

The Hezbollah source said there were no casualties from Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory, claiming buildings had been evacuated in advance.

US President Joe Biden was "closely monitoring events", the White House said.

Flights at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport were briefly suspended, but were later restarted, according to the airport’s website.

This latest round of strikes comes amid heightened regional tensions following the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31 and the killing of Fuad Shukar in Lebanon on the same day by Israel.

Iran vowed retaliation immediately after but has been slow to respond to Israel’s actions on its territory. Israel, however, never claimed responsibility for the Tehran attack.