The Israeli Air Force carried out its largest coordinated strike against Hezbollah in Lebanon since the outbreak of hostilities, targeting roughly 100 sites across Beirut, the Beqaa Valley, and southern Lebanon in a span of ten minutes, the Israeli army said.

The military said the operation, dubbed as "Eternal Darkness," involved around 50 fighter jets dropping approximately 160 bombs on Hezbollah positions.

According to the military, the airstrikes targeted Hezbollah command centers, intelligence offices, and other military infrastructure used to plan attacks against Israeli troops and civilians. Targets included facilities for the group’s land and naval rocket systems, as well as assets belonging to Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force and Air Unit 127.

“This is the largest attack carried out against Hezbollah’s infrastructure since the start of Operation Lion’s Roar,” Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said.

Adraee emphasized that many of the targeted sites were located within civilian areas, which he described as part of Hezbollah’s strategy of using Lebanese civilians as human shields. He said precautions were taken prior to the strikes to minimize civilian casualties.

The operation, Adraee added, was based on precise intelligence and meticulously planned over several weeks by the Israeli army’s Operations Directorate, Intelligence Directorate, Air Force, and Northern Command to maximize impact against Hezbollah.

The spokesperson criticized Hezbollah’s involvement in the fighting under Iranian sponsorship, arguing it harms Lebanon and its citizens. He called on the Lebanese state and population to resist the group’s military buildup and deployment in civilian areas.

“The Israeli army will continue to act decisively against Hezbollah and will not allow harm to Israeli civilians,” Adraee said.

In a separate statement, Adraee said Hezbollah fighters have evacuated their stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut, known as the Dahiyeh, and are repositioning to northern Beirut and mixed-population areas.

“Following Israeli army operations in the Dahiyeh, Hezbollah realized its established terror stronghold is no longer safe, and therefore began relocating,” he noted.

Adraee also warned Lebanese civilians that “the destruction that Hezbollah brought upon the Dahiyeh will move with it,” emphasizing that the military will continue to target Hezbollah wherever it relocates.

"To the people of Lebanon: Do not be mistaken. The destruction Hezbollah brought to the Dahiyeh will move with it. The group, which dragged you and your country into war in service of Iran, continues to spread devastation across Lebanon at your expense. Do not allow it! Do not let Hezbollah bring destruction and chaos to you!"

"To Hezbollah operatives: There is no safe haven for you. The Israeli army will continue to pursue you and act with overwhelming force wherever you are," Adraee concluded. 

The strikes triggered a series of powerful explosions in Beirut around 2:15 p.m., hitting neighborhoods including Bir Hassan, Hay Al-Sellom, Al-Manara, Ain El-Mreisseh, Corniche Al-Mazraa, Musaytbeh, Basta, Choueifat, Aramoun, Al-Bayader, Kayfoun, Ain El-Tineh, and Bshamoun. Residents reported widespread panic, prompting urgent appeals for blood donations across all Beirut hospitals.

Later, Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, said the large-scale airstrikes across Lebanon targeted “hundreds of Hezbollah operatives,” marking the most concentrated blow the group has suffered since the 2024 exploding pager attack.

“Hundreds of Hezbollah operatives were struck in surprise attacks on headquarters across Lebanon, representing the largest concentrated operation against the group since the pager operation,” Katz said, referring to the 2024 attack on Hezbollah members.

Katz also warned Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, that the group would pay a “very heavy price” for conducting attacks against Israel on Iran’s behalf, adding that Qassem himself would not be exempt.

مشاهد من الغارات المتتالية التس استهدفت بيروت والضاحية pic.twitter.com/0L28Swf0ow

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) April 8, 2026

بالقرب من عين التينة pic.twitter.com/NvwrQpcNUT

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) April 8, 2026

من عين المريسة pic.twitter.com/VXpjooAmxf

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) April 8, 2026

من سلسلة الغارات التي استهدفت العاصمة وبشامون pic.twitter.com/RaBGss6GBT

— kataeb.org (@kataeb_Ar) April 8, 2026

Additional airstrikes targeted areas in Douris, Al-Karak, Tareya, Shmastar, Housh Al-Rafiqa, and the surroundings of Hermel. The Israeli army also hit the Zahraa complex south of Sidon, as well as sites in Aanqoun and Adloun.