In an escalation of hostilities, over 50 rockets were launched from Lebanon into northern Israel overnight, targeting the Galilee Panhandle and the Kiryat Shmona area, according to the Israeli army. The attacks, which occurred in two separate waves, were claimed by Hezbollah in retaliation for an Israeli strike on the Lebanese southern town of Faroun, where three emergency workers were killed.

The first barrage of approximately 20 rockets occurred between 1 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. While most of the rockets were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, some impacted Kiryat Shmona, causing extensive damage. One rocket struck a building directly, and another hit a sidewalk, though no injuries were reported.

A second, larger wave of around 30 rockets was fired from Lebanon at approximately 5:30 a.m. The Israeli army confirmed that while some rockets were intercepted, the rest landed in open areas, avoiding casualties.

In total, around 100 rockets were fired into Israel over the past day, according to Israeli military reports.

In response, the Israeli military launched retaliatory airstrikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, with fighter jets targeting buildings used by Hezbollah in Aitaroun, Maroun al-Ras, and Yaroun. A separate drone strike on Saturday night reportedly killed two members of the Hezbollah-allied Amal movement in Faroun.

Hezbollah also claimed responsibility for launching a volley of Katyusha rockets at the Israeli kibbutz of Shamir, near the Golan Heights. Despite the rocket fire, Shamir has not been officially evacuated by the Israeli government. Reports suggest that around 30 rockets were fired at the community, though there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The Israeli army has not commented on the strikes at Shamir, but the Upper Galilee Regional Council assured residents that the loud blasts heard in the region were the result of the military fire.

The Israeli Home Front Command is set to hold a situational assessment to determine whether to cancel classes in northern Israel following the night of heavy rocket fire.