Jerusalem, 18 March, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israeli Military said it struck multiple Hezbollah targets in Lebanon overnight in response to rocket fire aimed at Israel.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Iran-backed terror organization attempted to launch around 100 rockets, drones, and mortars toward northern Israel, but only managed 40 launches. Most were intercepted, fell in open areas, or landed back in Lebanon. One rocket struck a home in Karmiel, causing damage, while all five drones were intercepted.
The IDF said it detected Hezbollah preparing for increased attacks and acted to disrupt them. “We attacked launchers, weapons depots, and operational headquarters before and during the firing,” the IDF said. “This prevented a significant barrage toward Israeli territory.” Israelis had braced for a large-scale barrage in response to the assassination of Ali Larijani, Iran’s de facto leader.
In Tyre, the IDF evacuated residents ahead of strikes on Hezbollah positions embedded in civilian areas. “This is another example of the use of Lebanese citizens by Hezbollah for terrorist activity,” the spokesperson added. Air and naval strikes also hit Hezbollah’s financial networks in Beirut, including assets of the so-called “Al-Karch Al-Hassan” association, which the group uses to fund operations and pay its members. Targets included the headquarters of Hezbollah’s “Imam Hussein” division in Southern Lebanon.
The military noted that Hezbollah’s rocket forces have become decentralized, with smaller launch units spread across southern Lebanon, making detection more difficult but limiting the number of rockets fired simultaneously. The IDF estimates that Hezbollah still possesses thousands of short-range rockets with a 40-kilometer range, along with hundreds of longer-range projectiles. Most of these are positioned north of the Litani River, restricting attacks largely to Israeli communities near the border and IDF forces in Southern Lebanon rather than deeper inside Israel.
Meanwhile, the IDF warned Lebanese residents south of the Zahrani River to evacuate their homes on Wednesday morning as the military pressed its campaign against Hezbollah. The Zahrani River is about 18 km north of the Litani River.
“The airstrikes are ongoing as the Israel Defense Forces operate with significant force in the area,” the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Col. Avichay Adraee, tweeted. “Remaining south of the Zahrani River may endanger your lives and the lives of your families. Attention: Any movement southward may endanger your lives.”
The IDF said that Hezbollah’s previous barrages, averaging about 150 rockets per day, show an ongoing attempt to escalate attacks. “We anticipate that the group will try to launch similarly large barrages every few days,” the military said. Israeli strikes have targeted both launchers and command teams.
In addition to military targets, the IDF reported attacking a network of gas stations allegedly owned by Hezbollah in the southern Litani and Tyre regions. These facilities, used to fuel the organization’s vehicles, also generate income for operations.
“The Air Force struck dozens of gas stations last night and will continue to do so, thereby harming Hezbollah financially and reducing its mobility,” the IDF said.
Meanwhile, Israel’s ground operations continue in southern Lebanon. The IDF estimates that fewer than 1,000 elite Hezbollah Radwan Force fighters have crossed the Litani River to confront troops. So far, at least 200 Radwan operatives have been killed. The military says these fighters are deployed in small cells across villages and are largely retreating after encountering Israeli forces.