Hezbollah carries out extensive airstrikes in northern Israel firing about 150 rockets after the rocket barrage in southern Lebanon carried out by Israel since yesterday targeting positions of the Iranian-backed organization, Hezbollah.

Pounding by Hezbollah in Northern Israel

Specifically, dozens of rockets were launched at noon on Friday by Hezbollah in Northern Israel. About 60 of the rockets were fired toward the Israeli city of Safed, where debris fell and caused fires, according to Israel’s Channel 12. A second round of about 70 rockets followed, The Times of Israel reported, without specifying the exact areas targeted.

Sirens sounded at midday on Friday in northern Israel, specifically the cities of Safed, several nearby towns in the Galilee and Ortal in the northern Golan Heights with the IDF calling on citizens in many communities and towns to stay close to shelters until further notice.

Residents reported on social media numerous interceptions from the Iron Dome;in the middle of a of a major Hezbollah missile attackaccording to the Israel of Times.

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared footage. “Northern Israel right now after heavy Hezbollah rocket fire from Lebanon into Israel”.

“Make no mistake: those who harm the people of Israel will pay the price,” it reads.

Citizens living in Northern Israel they are asked to stay close to shelters. The guidelines apply to people in Merom HaGalil Regional Council, Upper Galilee Regional Council, Mevo’ot HaHermon Regional Council, Metula, Kiryat Shmona, Yesud HaMa’ala, Hatzor, Rosh Pina, Safed, Metula and cities in the Golan Heights.

At the same time, the IDF is inviting civilians to these areas to reduce travel outside the homes, avoid large gatherings and stay close to shelters.

Last night, the IDF issued similar instructions before revoking them in the early hours of this morning.

Israel shelters

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attacks

Hezbollah, for its part, claimed responsibility for the dozens of rockets fired. Her target, she says, was the headquarters of Israel’s 188th Armored Brigade, which operates under the country’s Northern Command.

Hezbollah said the attack was in support of the “brave and honorable resistance” of the Palestinian people, as well as in retaliation for the latest attacks by the Israeli army in southern Lebanon.

A new wave of Israeli airstrikes have hit southern Lebanon since Friday morning as Israel now turns its fire on the Shiite organization.

The new strikes against Lebanon come after dozens of IDF strikes on Thursday in the south. Israeli fighter jets hit more than 100 Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon that were ready for direct attacks on Israel with the launchers including around 1,000 missile tubes.

The launches began yesterday afternoon and were carried out in waves.

The commander of the West Bank terrorist network was killed

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said the commander of a local terrorist network in the West Bank town of Qabatiya was among 7 Palestinian militants killed by troops yesterday, Thursday.

“During the raid in Qabatiya, near Jenin, troops of the Duvdevan commando unit killed four gunmen in an exchange of fire. Three assault rifles and other weapons were seized from their bodies,” the IDF says.

Several hours later, another group of gunmen opened fire on troops operating in the city. The Israeli army says it carried out a drone attack on the gunmen in a car, killing three of them.

Israel turns its attention to Hezbollah

Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah officials and commanders this week are a signal that the war is now moving north, according to Stephen Cook, senior fellow for Middle Eastern and African Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

“It’s clear that the Israeli defense minister has argued that this is a new chapter in Israel’s ongoing battles with Hamas and is now turning its attention to Hezbollah,” Cook told CNN.

“There is a sense here that the war in Gaza is ending, that Hamas has been damaged to the point where it cannot threaten the security of Israel as it did a year ago, and that now is the time to focus on the return of its residents Israel in the northern communities”.

At least 37 people have been killed in blasts of buzzers and walkie-talkies this week, including children, and nearly 3,000 have been injured. Hezbollah said at least 38 of its members had been killed since Tuesday.