Iran-Backed Hezbollah Fires Rockets and Drones at Israel
In a major escalation of the Israel-Iran war and wider Middle East conflict, Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon have killed at least 31 people and wounded around 149 others, according to Lebanon’s health ministry. The strikes targeted Hezbollah positions and other suspected militant sites after the Iran-allied group launched rockets and drones at northern Israel.
The violence is part of a rapidly widening war that began with joint US-Israeli attacks on Iranian military infrastructure, which included strikes on Tehran and other key cities. The conflict intensified after reports — later partially disputed — circulated that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed, a development that triggered retaliatory strikes and heavy rocket fire from Iran-aligned forces.
Hezbollah announced it had fired multiple missiles and drones into Israel in response to earlier attacks. Israeli forces said they intercepted many projectiles, though some landed in open areas without causing major known casualties. Israel’s military responded with intense airstrikes on Lebanese territory, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, leading to significant civilian casualties and prompting evacuation orders in affected regions.
Meanwhile, the conflict has expanded beyond the Israel-Lebanon front. Iran has launched drone and missile attacks at targets in the Gulf region, including areas near Doha (Qatar) and Kuwait, where air raids and sirens were reported. The US embassy in Kuwait issued a warning to citizens after drone strikes near diplomatic facilities, and Kuwaiti air defences intercepted hostile drones over several neighbourhoods.
The crisis has disrupted international travel, with Gulf airspace closures and widespread flight cancellations. Air travel hubs like Doha remain affected, leading to suspension of major airline operations and chaos at airports.
Global diplomatic tensions have also risen, with calls for de-escalation from the United Nations and several world governments, while military actions continue amid fears the conflict could widen further.