The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that Hezbollah launched rockets targeting Haifa and northern Israel overnight, officially entering the conflict on Day 3 of the 2026 Israel-Iran war. In response, the IDF carried out extensive airstrikes across Lebanon, striking over 100 Hezbollah targets, including headquarters in Beirut, missile launch sites, and the command centers of senior leaders.

In preparation for continued operations, the IDF issued evacuation warnings for more than fifty villages with Hezbollah infrastructure, emphasizing the seriousness of the threat and the need to protect civilian populations. An official IDF spokesperson highlighted that Hezbollah’s alignment with Iran over the welfare of the Lebanese people will carry a heavy price, reaffirming Israel’s commitment to decisive retaliation against any actor targeting its citizens.

Multiple news outlets, including Reuters and The New York Times, have verified these strikes and the scope of IDF operations, illustrating the escalation of regional tensions. Military analysts note that Hezbollah’s formal participation as Iran’s primary Lebanese proxy marks a critical turning point, prompting the IDF to prepare for potential ground operations while maintaining coordinated support from U.S. forces in the region.

The combination of targeted airstrikes, preemptive civilian warnings, and strategic messaging underscores Israel’s dual approach: degrading Hezbollah’s operational capacity while reinforcing deterrence. The rapid and broad response signals to both Iran and regional proxies that any aggression against Israel will meet immediate, substantial consequences, highlighting the high stakes and intensity of ongoing hostilities in the Middle East.