Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for launching a ballistic missile targeting Mossad’s headquarters near Tel Aviv, Israel. The missile was intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems early Wednesday morning, the Israeli military confirmed.
Warning sirens were activated in Tel Aviv as the surface-to-surface missile was detected crossing into Israel from Lebanon. The interception marks the first time a projectile from Lebanon has reached central Israel, according to Israeli military officials.
Hezbollah stated that the missile, identified as a “Qader 1,” was launched at 6:30 AM local time (03:30 GMT) as a response to recent Israeli attacks on Lebanon and in support of Gaza. In a statement, the group said, “This headquarters is responsible for the assassination of leaders and the explosion of pagers and wireless devices.”
The missile strike comes amidst ongoing Israeli bombardments in Lebanon, which have reportedly killed over 500 people and displaced tens of thousands. This is the first ballistic missile strike by the Iran-backed group since October, when tensions flared due to the conflict in Gaza.
Israeli authorities reported no casualties or damage from the missile and indicated no changes to civil defense instructions for central Israel. In retaliation, the Israeli Air Force targeted the launch site in Nafakhiyeh, Lebanon, as part of its ongoing military operations. The situation remains tense, with fears of further escalation between Hezbollah and Israel.