Jerusalem, 12 March, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Sirens blared across Israel’s north and central regions while Iran and Hezbollah launched a coordinated barrage of rockets and drones overnight, sending millions of Israelis to shelters.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hezbollah fired approximately 200 rockets from multiple sites in Lebanon over several hours, while Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) simultaneously launched ballistic missiles targeting northern and central Israel.
“This was a joint and integrated operation,” the IRGC said, confirming coordination with Hezbollah.
Residents in the Galilee, Haifa, and communities up to 50 kilometers from the Lebanese border were forced to take cover, while sirens sounded even in Tel Aviv and surrounding towns. Despite the intensity, casualties were limited. Two people — a 35-year-old woman and a man in his 50s — were lightly injured by flying debris, while four others were treated for anxiety. A rocket also struck a home in Moshav Haniel in central Israel, causing property damage but no injuries.
The attacks included precision rockets capable of carrying warheads of hundreds of kilograms, some aimed at key Israeli infrastructure. Hezbollah claimed that a barrage targeted the Glilot base, home to Israel’s 8200 Military Intelligence unit, in the Tel Aviv suburbs.
Israeli officials stressed that the escalation revealed Hezbollah’s continued operational strength. “Despite previous estimates that 70% of their capabilities had been neutralized, Hezbollah remains capable of coordinated, multi-front attacks,” an Israeli security source said.
The IDF responded with heavy airstrikes across southern Beirut and southern Lebanon. “We targeted rocket launchers, command posts, and operatives preparing further attacks,” an army statement said. Airstrikes focused on the southern Beirut suburbs, including Dayiheh, home to Hezbollah’s intelligence and elite Radwan units. Authorities warned that civilian infrastructure could also be targeted if Lebanon fails to restrain the Iran-backed group.
By early Thursday, the IDF reported that additional strikes had thwarted further launches and disrupted Hezbollah command operations. Israeli officials emphasized that while the current attack was repelled, northern communities must remain on high alert.
The night’s events exposed confusion in Israel’s early warnings system. Security sources acknowledged that “a mistake in mediating information to the public allowed rumors to take hold,” with various officials issuing conflicting advisories, which left residents uncertain about when and where to take cover.
Israeli authorities are reportedly considering expanding the buffer zone along the Lebanese border.
Following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah began daily rocket fire at northern Israeli communities, prompting thousands of residents to flee. Since November 2024, Israel has carried out numerous airstrikes against Hezbollah activities in violation of the ceasefire. The ceasefire collapsed on March 2 when Hezbollah fired rockets at northern Israel following the assassination of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khameini.
The IDF reported killing around 380 Hezbollah operatives and striking roughly 950 to 1,000 targets in 2025. These included launchers, weapons depots, military structures, and underground shafts. The IDF also accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire about 1,920 times during the year.
The ceasefire requires Hezbollah to withdraw its armed forces from southern Lebanon and prohibits it from operating south of the Litani River.