Israeli warplanes launched significant airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, targeting hundreds of rocket launchers that were set to fire into Israel, according to the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). The strikes reportedly destroyed around 100 rocket launchers, consisting of 1,000 barrels, as per a Reuters report.

The military action followed statements by Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who promised "tough retribution" for recent attacks that disabled the group's communication systems. These attacks involved explosives hidden in communication devices like pagers and walkie-talkies, which were remotely detonated.

In response, the White House urged for a diplomatic resolution to de-escalate the growing conflict, with spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre emphasizing the urgency of preventing war in the region.

Lebanon accused Israel of orchestrating the explosions of communication devices, as per a letter from Lebanon's UN mission to the Security Council. Taiwanese pager company Gold Apollo was linked to the devices, but its founder denied involvement, attributing the manufacturing to a Budapest-based company, BAC.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified in recent months, with this latest strike marking a new phase in the ongoing war, now stretching into its 11th month. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed the shift, calling for perseverance and determination amid growing fears of a wider regional conflict.