Israel fired a “widespread wave” of airstrikes in Lebanon on Wednesday following a series of missile assaults from Hezbollah terrorists that killed one Israeli and injured eight others.
The Israeli military decimated several of the terror group’s compounds, control rooms and terror infrastructure, the IDF touted, with Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi vowing to continue the bombardments.
“The next campaign will have a very strong offensive, and we will use all our tools and capabilities,” he said during a meeting with leaders in northern Israel where thousands have been displaced over the conflict with Hezbollah.
“There is still a long way to go,” he added.
The airstrikes across Lebanon were aimed at Hezbollah bases in Jabal el Braij, Houneh, Dunin, Aadchit, and Souaneh, with several of the targets hit belonging to the terror group’s elite Redwan Forces, the IDF said.
Hezbollah-linked media outlets reported that at least four civilians, including a woman and her two sons, were killed in one of the airstrikes that hit Souaneh.
The airstrikes came just hours after several missiles from Lebanon hit the northern Israeli city of Safed, killing one IDF soldier and injuring eight other people.
The IDF identified the slain soldier as Staff. Sgt. Omer Sarah Benjo, 20, a member of the 869th Combat Intelligence Collection unit, the Times of Israel reports.
The Magen David Adom emergency service said those injured in the strike, which included another service member, only suffered moderate to light injuries.
Hezbollah has yet to comment on the strike in Safed or claim responsibility for the attack.
As tensions continue to rise between the Jewish State and Hezbollah, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said the latest missile strikes from Lebanon were tantamount to a declaration of war.
Due to the daily attacks between the IDF and Hezbollah, more than 100,000 Israelis living in the north have been forced to evacuate their homes since the hostilities began four months ago.
Despite the rocket attacks, Safed Mayor Shuki Ohana told Israel’s Army Radio that no evacuation order is being considered for the city, where shelters are short.
“We have all the plans for it, but it’s not on the table right now,” he told the broadcaster Wednesday. “If needed, we’ll implement the plan.”
The Iran-back terror group, an ally of Hamas, has vowed to keep its attacks going in northern Israel until the IDF withdraws from Gaza.