The Israeli army said it carried out a series of strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon following an overnight attack on Israel, warning the group it would pay a “heavy price” for initiating hostilities.

Brigadier General Effie Defrin, the Israeli army spokesperson, told reporters at a press conference that Hezbollah had deliberately launched a campaign against Israel and would face significant retaliation.

“Hezbollah opened fire; it chose to start a campaign. It will pay a heavy price,” Defrin said.

He said Israeli forces struck dozens of command centers and rocket launch sites across Lebanon, including locations in the capital, Beirut. Senior Hezbollah commanders, among the last top officials still active in the organization, were reportedly targeted, he added.

Defrin said Israel has deployed to Israel’s northern border close to 100,000 reservists and dozens of battalion that are ready for “all possibilities, both defense and offence”.

“All options are on the table,” he said.