Tensions escalated Wednesday morning after Hezbollah launched a barrage of approximately 40 rockets at northern Israel, with the city of Safed bearing the brunt of the attack. A direct hit on an assisted living facility in the city caused significant damage and sparked a fire, though no casualties were reported. Earlier in the day, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a missile launch targeting Tel Aviv, alleging it was aimed at "Mossad headquarters." The IDF responded with extensive strikes in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley, reportedly hitting 20 targets, including weapons storage facilities. Amid the heightened hostilities, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that killing Hezbollah members would not deter the group, while nearly half a million people have reportedly fled southern Lebanon due to the war.
September 25
19:24: Lebanese channel LBCI reports that "the efforts for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah led by Amos Hochstein are serious and progressing, and we may see practical results as soon as Thursday morning." (Shachar Kleiman)
19:03: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "I can't go into detail about our actions, but I can tell you this: We are determined to ensure the safe return of our northern residents to their homes. We're hitting Hezbollah harder than they ever imagined possible. We're using both force and strategy. I promise you this: We won't stop until our people are back home."
18:37: Arab media report: A Hezbollah field commander named Fouad Shafiq Khazaal has been eliminated. (Shachar Kleiman)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "I can't go into detail about our actions, but I can tell you this: we are determined to ensure the safe return of our northern residents to their homes.
"We're hitting Hezbollah harder than they ever imagined possible. We're using both force… https://t.co/rS2QNijBf6
— Israel Hayom English (@IsraelHayomEng) September 25, 2024
18:08: Sky News Arabia reported that US envoy Amos Hochstein will be managing the negotiations to achieve a comprehensive agreement between Israel and Lebanon. Sources told the network that the draft plan to reduce escalation includes a four-week ceasefire. It is also claimed that this is an initiative of Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. (Shachar Kleiman)
18:04: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu updated ministers that he gave Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer the green light to tell the US that Israel is ready for a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon, to negotiate Hezbollah's withdrawal without being under fire. The assessment in Israel is that this has little chance of success. Still, Israel is willing to reach an arrangement and will also gain legitimacy by agreeing if Hezbollah's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah refuses. (Amir Ettinger)
16:17: The IDF continues to strike Hezbollah targets in Lebanon: Throughout the day, approximately 280 targets were hit, including the launchers used for this morning's attacks on the areas of Safed, Nahariya, and the valleys. (Lilach Shoval)
15:58: Hours after the sirens in Zikhron Yaakov: Hezbollah claims it launched Fadi-3 missiles at an explosives factory in the area.
15:50: The IDF has completed strikes on 60 targets belonging to Hezbollah's intelligence headquarters. The strikes destroyed intelligence-gathering equipment, command centers, and additional infrastructure.
Hezbollah confirms the killing of terrorist Abbas Ibrahim Sharaf al-Din from the village of Tebnit in southern Lebanon. https://t.co/YE5OlL0ZEj
— Israel Hayom English (@IsraelHayomEng) September 25, 2024
15:40: Hezbollah confirms the killing of terrorist Abbas Ibrahim Sharaf al-Din from the village of Tebnit in southern Lebanon.
15:38: The IDF Spokesperson's Unit has announced the call-up of two reserve brigades for operational duties along the northern border.
Hezbollah confirms the killing of terrorist Abbas Ibrahim Sharaf al-Din from the village of Tebnit in southern Lebanon.
13:50: Three people were injured - one severely, one moderately, and one lightly - by shrapnel after a building was hit in Kibbutz Sa'ar. MDA paramedics and medics provided medical treatment to the injured, who were conscious. Additionally, MDA teams are treating several people for anxiety at the scene. According to Moshe Davidovich, head of the Mateh Asher Regional Council, the injured were workers who were renovating one of the houses.
13:40: The Lebanese are reporting more than 10 casualties after an attack in Nabatieh. (Lilach Shoval)
13:35: After the announcement of an attack in Nabatieh: Major volley on the Upper and Lower Galilee.
13:25: IDF spokesperson in a brief statement: "We have begun attacking in Nabatieh, more details to follow."
12:52: A Hezbollah source denied to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that a senior organization official in Mount Lebanon was eliminated in the attack in the Al-Maaysrah area.
12:50: After the barrage on Safed – instructions to stay near protected spaces in the city have been lifted.
12:42: Saudi channel Al-Hadath reported that the target of the attack in Al-Maaysrah in Keserwan was also one of Hezbollah's clerics.
12:22: A senior Hezbollah official said that following the attack on pagers and communication devices, 1,500 terrorists were injured and taken out of service, with many blinded or injured in their hands.
12:14: Lebanese report: The target of the attack in Al-Maaysrah is Mohammed Amro, a senior Hezbollah official in charge of the Mount Lebanon and northern region.
12:10: Menashe sector: Large IDF forces have begun counter-terrorism operations in the Jenin area at this time.
12:05: Strike north of Beirut in Al-Maaysrah, 3 killed on site.
12:00: Baruch Padeh Medical Center reports that over the last 24 hours, 12 casualties from rocket barrages arrived at the medical center, all of them either suffering from anxiety or injured while rushing to shelter. All were classified as lightly injured and have been discharged home.
11:35: Reuters report: Strike on the Shiite village of Maaysra, north of Beirut.
11:28: Barrage on the Upper Galilee area: IDF spokesperson updates that about 40 launches were identified crossing from Lebanese territory, some were intercepted, an impact was identified in an assisted living facility in the Safed area, no casualties.
11:25: A fire broke out as a result of a direct hit in Safed.
Video: Fire in Safed after direct rocket impact / Credit: Free usage under Israeli copyright law (Section 27A)
11:20: The direct hit on an assisted living facility in Safed: Magen David Adom emergency teams are conducting searches, at this stage no casualties have been reported. Damage was caused to the site.
11:16: Initial report of a direct hit on an assisted living facility in Safed.
11:15: The Lebanese network Al-Mayadeen, associated with Hezbollah, reported that a barrage of rockets was launched from Lebanon "toward a military target" in the Safed area.
11:08: Initial report of an impact in Safed.
11:05: IDF spokesperson: IDF is extensively attacking in southern Lebanon and the Beqaa Valley.
11:04: Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei: Killing "valuable" Hezbollah members will not bring Hezbollah to its knees.
11:01: Sirens in Safed and surrounding areas.
10:40: Following a report of interceptor debris falling in an open area in the village of Bat Shlomo, with no casualties – police and bomb disposal experts from the Coastal District rushed to the scene and conducted searches to remove any risk and handle the impact site.
10:35: Sirens warning of missile and rocket fire were activated in the Meron area, as well as in Shtula, Netua, Matat, and Sasa.
10:30: The launcher from which this morning's fire towards the Wadi Ara area was carried out has been struck. In a swift response, Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked the launcher in the Tibnin area of southern Lebanon. Additionally, in the past hour, dozens of Hezbollah's weapons storage facilities in southern Lebanon were attacked.
10:23: Energy Minister Eli Cohen, following the revelation of Hezbollah's attempt to hit an Israeli energy facility: "The Energy Ministry, together with the IDF and all security agencies, is working to provide protection to Israel's strategic energy facilities. We are prepared for any scenario and will continue to provide regular and continuous energy to all Israeli citizens."
10:15: IDF spokesperson officially announces that the alerts activated at 09:27 in the city of Tiberias were a false alarm.
09:49: Following the situation assessment by the Home Front Command and Northern Command, the following instructions were given to those in all communities of the council, Safed line and northward: Minimize movement within the community area, avoid gatherings, and stay near protected spaces.
09:45: The siren in Tiberias – appears to be a false alarm.
09:26: Following the alerts activated in the Menashe, Carmel, and Wadi Ara areas: Approximately five launches were identified crossing from Lebanese territory, some were intercepted, an impact was identified in an open area in Bat Shlomo.
09:21: Following the alerts activated at 8:50 in the Golan Heights area: IDF spokesperson updates that fighter jets intercepted an unmanned aerial vehicle south of the Sea of Galilee. The UAV was launched from the east and crossed into the country from Syria. No damage or casualties reported.
09:18: Impacts in the Carmel Coast area, interceptions over Zichron Yaakov – for the first time in the war.
Video: Interceptions over Zichron Yaakov
09:12: IDF spokesperson: Missile and rocket fire alerts were activated in the Menashe, Wadi Ara, and Carmel areas. Details under investigation.
09:08: Rocket and missile fire alert sirens in Zichron Yaakov, Daliyat al-Karmel, Carmel, and the surrounding area.
08:55: The Israel Electric Corporation reports that in recent barrages, there was a noticeable attempt to hit a strategic facility of the Electric Corporation. Thanks to pre-installed protection – there is no damage to the site.
08:49: Wave of attacks in Lebanon - IDF spokesperson: 20 targets were attacked in Lebanon. (Idan Avni)
08:11: Hezbollah claims responsibility for the Tel Aviv missile, claiming it "targeted Mossad headquarters."
08:11: In a swift response, Israeli Air Force fighter jets strike the site from which Tuesday morning's surface-to-surface missile was launched.
6:58: IDF confirms "air defense forces successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface missile fired from Lebanon into central Israel, following earlier alerts in the region, marking another escalation in the ongoing conflict."
6:57: IDF spokesperson: Despite the rocket fire, there are no changes to the Home Front Command's instructions.
6:30: Sirens blare in the greater Tel Aviv area and Sharon region; surface-to-surface missile, which was intercepted, had been launched from Lebanon.
Sirens in central Israel, most likely triggered by rocket from Lebanon, which was intercepted https://t.co/mnvNbA8mmn
— Israel Hayom English (@IsraelHayomEng) September 25, 2024
4:00: Arab sources report strikes in southern Lebanon.
2:20: Palestinian sources report bombings in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip.
1:48: Sirens in Kiryat Shmona and other northern communities.
1:36: Sirens in the southern Golan Heights.
1:35: Hezbollah confirms the death of Ibrahim Qabisi, head of its missile unit, in a strike in Dahieh.
1:10: Arab sources report an Israeli strike in the Beqaa Valley area.
00:30: Lebanese reports indicate Israel struck a building in south Beirut. Sources told Saudi channel Al-Hadath that it was a significant strike on a weapons depot.
00:23: A drone launched from Iraq crashed in the central Arava region after failed interception attempts.
00:20: Lebanese foreign minister states that approximately half a million people have likely fled southern Lebanon due to the war with Israel.
