Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets at Israel on Saturday amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, following the killing of Hamas's political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran earlier in the week. The attack was reported to have injured civilians in the Israeli area of Moshav Beit Hillel, according to The Times of Israel. This retaliation came after Israeli strikes on Kfar Kela and Deir Siriane in Lebanon, and an attack in Beirut that killed senior Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr.

US and Israeli officials had anticipated an Iranian strike on Israel as early as Monday, Axios reported. In response to the heightened tensions, Israel's Iron Dome defense system intercepted most of the rockets fired by Hezbollah, though some impacts were recorded near Beit Hillel, causing fires in the area.

The US, seeking to bolster its ally Israel, announced it would increase its military presence in the Middle East. This includes deploying an aircraft carrier strike group led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, additional missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers, and a new fighter squadron.

When asked about Iran's threats, President Joe Biden expressed hope that Iran would de-escalate the situation, though he admitted uncertainty. The US Embassy in Beirut has advised American citizens to leave Lebanon immediately, with similar advisories issued by several other countries, including the UK, Canada, Jordan, and India.

Iran, blaming Israel for Haniyeh's killing, indicated that Hezbollah's attacks would not be limited to military targets. Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups have already been involved in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

In a related incident, an Israeli drone strike in Bazourieh, southern Lebanon, killed Ali Abd Ali, a key Hezbollah operative. Hezbollah confirmed his death and warned of further retaliation. Additionally, violence spread to the West Bank, with Israeli strikes on a Gaza City school compound killing 17 people.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the situation with his French and British counterparts, with all parties agreeing on the necessity of restraint from all sides, according to State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.