Fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants continues inside southern Lebanon as Israel decides how to retaliate against Hezbollah ally Iran for its missile attack on Tuesday.
Israel is planning a “significant” retribution against Iran for launching at least 180 ballistic missiles into Israel. Its reprisal could widen armed conflict across several Middle Eastern nations.
Learn more: What could happen next.
Iran said Tuesday’s missile strike was revenge for the recent killing by Israel of several Hezbollah leaders, including Hassan Nasrallah, its top leader.
In Lebanon, Israel said it was conducting a “localized and targeted” ground operation against Hezbollah command posts and weapons storage sites. That means Israel is fighting on three fronts, against:
- Hamas in Gaza.
- Hezbollah in Lebanon.
- Iranian forces in Iran.
Where did Iran’s missiles strike Israel?
Israel has been pursuing Hamas officials in retaliation for their part in the group’s attack on Israel on Oct. 7, according to the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
The missile strike was similar to an Iranian aerial attack on Israel in April, in which about 300 missiles and drones were launched. In both attacks, no Israeli deaths were reported and most of the missiles were intercepted.
US forces deployed to defend Israel
Most of the Iranian missiles were shot down by Israeli air defenses or by interceptors fired by two U.S. Navy destroyers, the USS Bulkely (DDG-84) and USS Cole (DDG-67), two of three guided-missile destroyers now on deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean.
How Israel air defense system works
Where did Israel airstrikes hit Lebanon?
Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard, Tom Vanden Brook, Joey Garrison, Cybele Mayes-Osterman, John Bacon, Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY
Source: USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Reuters; Center for Strategic and International Studies; U.S. Naval Institute
