Israel has bombed Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. The militant group said it had deployed “large numbers of drones” in response.
Sirens were heard in northern Israel and flights to and from Tel Aviv were reportedly suspended.
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Hezbollah of “preparing to fire rockets and projectiles into Israeli territory.”
“As an act of self-defense to avert these threats, the IDF is striking terrorist targets in Lebanon,” Israeli military spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari said.
Hezbollah responded by deploying a large number of drones against “Israeli military targets” and “numerous enemy positions, barracks and Iron Dome platforms.”
The Iranian-backed militant group, classified as a terrorist organization by several countries including Britain, said the attack was in retaliation for the killing of its senior commander last month.
The attack in Beirut’s southern suburbs killed Fuad Shukr.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Shukr “one of the world’s most wanted terrorists.”
The Lebanese News Agency spoke of the attack by “enemy fighters” that caused “severe damage to property, crops and infrastructure, especially the electricity and water networks.”
Hezbollah later issued a statement saying it had fired 320 Katyusha rockets, hitting 11 Israeli military facilities, completing the “first phase” of its attacks.
There is no independent confirmation of these claims and no information on whether any damage has been caused.
Sunday’s attacks came as Egypt hosts new talks aimed at ending Israel’s 11-month war against Hamas.
Hezbollah said it would stop fighting if a cease-fire was reached.