In the early morning of August 25, Hezbollah was preparing to launch an extensive rocket and missile attack against central and northern Israel, with thousands of rocket launcher barrels in over 40 launch areas aimed at the Israeli home front.‎‏ In an act of self-defense to remove these threats, the IDF struck terrorist targets in Lebanon, from which Hezbollah was planning to launch their attacks. 

This follows more than 6,700 rockets, missiles, and explosive UAVs fired by Hezbollah at Israeli families, homes, and communities since October 8th. 

Locations of the Launchers: 

During the strike, about 230 launches and 20 aerial targets were identified crossing into Israeli territory.

90% of the launchers were from the heart of a civilian area, near civilian facilities such as mosques, schools, UN sites, etc.

Read more here. 

Timeline of Events

20:01
Click here to see how the IAF defended Israeli civilians this morning.

11:11
In the last hour, the IDF struck Hezbollah launchers in several areas in southern Lebanon to remove threats. In addition, the IDF identified a terrorist cell operating in the area of Khiam in southern Lebanon. The IAF swiftly struck the terrorists. Read more here.

8:27
Approximately 100 IAF fighter jets struck and eliminated thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels, aimed for immediate fire toward northern and central Israel. Read more here. 

7:34
Statement in Hebrew from IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari:

"In the past hour, we identified extensive preparation by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to fire toward the Israeli Home Front. After extensive identification, the IAF and Northern Command began proactively and broadly striking Hezbollah targets in order to remove the threats aimed at the citizens of Israel. We are removing threats against the Israeli home front. Dozens of IAF jets are currently striking targets in various locations in southern Lebanon. We are continuing to remove threats, and to intensively strike against the Hezbollah terrorist organization." 

6:42
The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, commands the offensive and defensive operations from the Underground Operations Center in the Kirya and holds a continuous situational assessment with the members of the General Staff Forum, the Israeli Air Force, the Northern Command and the Intelligence Directorate (J2). Read more here. 

6:41
Following the situational assessment, it was determined that at 06:00, life-saving changes will be made to the Home Front Command’s defensive guidelines.

As part of the changes, it was decided that in the areas of the northern Golan, the southern Golan, the confrontation line, the Upper Galilee, the Lower Galilee, the Central Galilee, the Beit She'an Valley, the Valleys, the Haifa bay, the Carmel, Wadi Ara, Menashe, Sharon, and Dan partial restrictions will be imposed.

We ask the public to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command regarding the situation and wait for additional instructions. 

The instructions published on the official Home Front Command channels must be followed. The full instructions are updated on the National Emergency Portal and the Home Front Command app.

6:31
Sirens Sounded in northern Israel.

6:18
Sirens Sounded in Ramot Naftali, Mishmar HaYarden and Ayelet HaShachar, northern Israel, northern Israel.

6:11
Sirens Sounded in northern Israel.

6:06
Sirens Sounded in northern Israel.

6:01
Sirens Sounded in northern Israel.

5:54
Sirens Sounded in northern Israel.

5:51
Sirens Sounded in northern Israel.

5:48
Sirens Sounded in Snir, northern Israel.

5:44
Sirens Sounded in northern Israel.

5:38
Sirens sounded in northern Israel.

5:34
Sirens sounded in northern Israel.

5:31
Sirens sounded in northern Israel.

4:47
Israeli Air Force fighter jets are currently striking targets belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization that posed an imminent threat to the citizens of the State of Israel.

Following the strikes, and in accordance with the IDF Home Front Command’s situational assessment, life-saving guidelines for the public in certain areas of Israel will be published.

Read more from IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari's statement here. 

4:47
Sirens sounded in northern Israel.