TEL AVIV: Israel foiled an attack planned by the Hezbollah group in Lebanon against the Mossad headquarters. Israel did a pre-emptive airstrike in southern Lebanon yesterday morning. Local media reported that Iran-backed Hezbollah planned to launch a missile and drone attack on the Gillot base in the central Israeli city of Herzliya. It is home to various intelligence units of the Israeli army and the headquarters of the Mossad intelligence agency.

It is believed that the attack was planned for 5 am local time yesterday. It was supposed to be a retaliation for the assassination of Hezbollah's top commander, Fouad Shukur, by Israel in July. However, before this, hundreds of Israeli warplanes bombed more than 40 Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Three people were killed. Rocket launchers and weapons depots were destroyed. Hezbollah has been carrying out airstrikes against northern Israel in support of Hamas since the Gaza war began in October. However, yesterday was a devastating blow by Israel in Lebanon. The Israeli army had warned the people of southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately before the attack. The US came out in support of Israel.

Rocket shower

Hezbollah said it fired 320 rockets and drones at northern Israel in response to the attack. Most of these were destroyed by Israel's air defences, with no casualties. More attacks will continue in the coming days. A state of emergency was declared in Israel for 48 hours from 6 am yesterday. However, restrictions were lifted late yesterday in some areas such as the southern Golan, Haifa Bay and Sharon. Alert will continue along the Lebanese border.

No one who tries to attack us will be spared.

- Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel

Death 40,400

71 people were killed in 24 hours, bringing the death toll from Israeli attacks in Gaza to 40,400. Meanwhile, US-led ceasefire talks have resumed in Cairo, Egypt.