699 Israeli soldiers have fallen since October 7th.

Hezbollah planned to target strategic facilities in the center of the country.
Hezbollah, in an official statement: We have completed the first phase of the response and launched 320 rockets.

Israel's Home Front Command has updated the defense instructions for the coastal area of Gush Dan and further north.
The thwarted rocket attack: Hezbollah planned to launch about 6,000 rockets and drones at Israel, including Tel Aviv.

This is being thwarted by the Israeli army with a preemptive strike in Lebanon.

In the bunker, called "Bor" (hole), at the main headquarters in Tel Aviv, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant are in a state of war readiness. Both are monitoring the targeted strikes in Lebanon. The Home Front Command has declared a "special state of emergency" for the hinterland, valid for two days.

IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari:

"In the past hour, we identified extensive preparation by the Hezbollah terrorist organization to fire toward the Israeli Home Front. After extensive identification, the IAF and Northern Command began proactively and broadly striking Hezbollah targets in order to remove the threats aimed at the citizens of Israel. We are removing threats against the Israeli home front. Dozens of IAF jets are currently striking targets in various locations in southern Lebanon. We are continuing to remove threats, and to intensively strike against the Hezbollah terrorist organization."

Short recap:

Israel this morning launched a preemptive aerial raid against hundreds of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon after intelligence showed the terror group was planning to launch a major assault on Israel.

The Israeli Air Force destroyed hundreds of Hezbollah launch sites simultaneously.

Hezbollah responded by firing hundreds of rockets at northern Israel.

Officials say the preemptive strike thwarted Hezbollah's plan to fire more than 6,000 missiles and drones at Israel.

Stay tuned. MUCH more to come...

On a personal note, I was trying to sleep in a bit after a long, but enjoyable Shabbat when a notification from my son's football (soccer) coach woke me.

"As for now, the boys will still have practice today."

Still half sleeping I thought to myself: "Why wouldn't they have practice?"

It quickly dawned on me... I better get on top of the news.

Ryan, "take it easy"...

Hezbollah published a leaflet stating that its reaction to Israel's killing of the group's top commander, Fuad Shukr, had begun.

Hezbollah said it would strike a high-value target in Israel.

Israeli officials say this morning's preemptive strike thwarted missiles on Tel Aviv.

Hezbollah managed to "only" launch between 200-300 rockets and drones at targets in northern Israel.

The group is now saying that its "military operations" for today are concluded.

Has Israel's bold preemptive strike deterred any further Hezbollah action?

The coming hours will tell...

The Israel Air Force has about 270 fighter jets (600 total aircraft).

To give you a sense of the scope of this morning's preemptive strike, 100 of those fighter or multi-role jets–over one-third of all Israel's combat aircraft–took part in the assault on Hezbollah.

Ben-Gurion Airport is operational for now, but some flights are still being rerouted to Ramon Airport north of Eilat.

Tel Aviv remains a target.

Hezbollah claims that it hit two targets north of Tel Aviv, and that Israel's preemptive strike failed.

Hezbollah says it has achieved its objectives, and that today's "military operation" is concluded.

Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah will deliver a speech later today.

They have suffered a major and humiliating blow, and Hezbollah is keen to flip the narrative to make them look "victorious."

👆This could indicate that Hezbollah is frightened to push things any further and wants to wrap up this round.

But we remain prepared for anything.

Israeli forces continue to strike Hezbollah targets across Lebanon at this time.

Army officials say there is now a clear decision to "eliminate the enemy threat."

Cleared for publication: Hezbollah's target this morning was the Mossad and Military Intelligence base in northern Tel Aviv.

Hezbollah claims it achieved this objective.

The truth is that moments before the attack was to begin, Israeli aircraft swooped in and destroyed the Hezbollah launchers across southern Lebanon.

Dutch leader Geert Wilders.

Perhaps the only Western leader who is unconditionally standing with Israel.

Israel issues a stern warning to Hezbollah: Any attack on Tel Aviv will put Beirut in grave danger.

Of course, that could be just what Hezbollah wants, as the outbreak of full-scale war in Lebanon would put more pressure on Iran to fully enter the conflict against Israel.

Residents of northern Israel have expressed anger at the nation's leaders for taking such decisive preemptive action to thwart a Hezbollah attack on Tel Aviv, but not doing the same to save their towns and communities in the Upper Galilee region.

Many towns and communities in Israel's northern border region are today empty and a large percentage of the homes destroyed by incessant Hezbollah rocket fire.

Israel’s Home Front Command has removed all additional restrictions and guidelines put in place earlier this morning.

In Tel Aviv a football match scheduled for this evening will proceed.