Israeli helicopters striking territory in Lebanon, officials say

Israeli helicopters are striking territory in Lebanon in the wake of the Palestinian militant group Hamas’s attack over the weekend. 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a brief statement Monday that its helicopters were in the process of striking Lebanese territory. While it did not provide any other details about the strikes, the IDF Homefront Command has instructed Israeli civilians in towns near the Lebanese border to “remain in their homes.”

Earlier Monday, the IDF said it had “neutralized a number of terrorist infiltrators who crossed from Lebanon into Israel” in a post on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. It added that it is “defending our country and stand ready on all borders.”

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said Sunday that it detected several rockets fired from southeast Lebanon toward Israeli-occupied territory, which was met with return fire from Israel. The Lebanese group Hezbollah said that it fired off guided rockets and artillery Sunday to show it stands “in solidarity” with the Palestinian people. 

Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel just one day after the 50th anniversary of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Hundreds of people have been killed on both sides as Israel ramps up a major counteroffensive on the Gaza Strip, which is home to the Hamas group and more than 2 million Palestinians. 

Israel formally declared war with Hamas on Sunday as the group of about 1,000 militants went door to door in Israel, killing civilians and taking some as hostages, officials said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to destroy Hamas’s “military and governing capabilities” and called up about 300,000 reservists as soldiers hunted for any remaining militants in the country. 

Israel’s Defense Ministry also vowed to impose a “complete siege” on Gaza on Monday, cutting off food and fuel supplies as well as electricity.