Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has declared a 48-hour nationwide state of emergency after the Israeli military launched preemptive strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. The decision came after a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gallant, as reported by YNet News.
According to the Israeli army, the strikes were conducted to prevent an imminent missile attack on Israel, with the targets being key Hezbollah positions in Lebanon. Gallant informed U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin about the situation, emphasising Israel’s commitment to defending its citizens.
“We have conducted precise strikes in Lebanon to thwart an imminent threat against the citizens of Israel,” Gallant said in a statement, adding that Israel is closely monitoring developments in Beirut.
The discussions between Gallant and Austin also highlighted the importance of avoiding a broader regional escalation amid the heightened tensions.
