The Israeli newspaper Maariv reported on Friday that more than 50 rockets were launched from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel. This development comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with fears of a potential Iranian-directed attack on Israeli facilities following recent events.

An official stated that the United States is increasing its efforts by deploying additional military assets to the Middle East to bolster regional deterrence and enhance protection for US forces.

The escalation follows an Israeli airstrike targeting the Iranian embassy in Damascus, resulting in the killing of Brig-Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a leader in the IRGC’s Quds Force, along with his deputy and five others.

According to official Iranian reports, this strike is part of a series of similar incidents. "The Israeli military, along with its American ally, has previously targeted numerous Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq, assassinating several individuals," they stated.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi condemned the airstrikes, vowing a response. "Having failed to destroy the will of the resistance front, the Zionist regime (Israel) has put blind assassinations back on its agenda to save itself. It must know that it will never achieve its goals and that this cowardly crime will not go unanswered," Raisi declared.

In response, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened retaliation against Israel. "The Zionists will regret their crime after the aggression on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, and our men will punish them," Khamenei warned.

Simultaneously, Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese party, announced launching "dozens of Katyusha rockets" at Israeli artillery positions in response to Israeli strikes on towns in southern Lebanon. In a statement, Hezbollah stated, "In response to the enemy's attacks on steadfast southern villages and civilian homes, the mujahideen of the Islamic Resistance bombarded enemy artillery positions in Za'aroura with dozens of Katyusha rockets at 20:00 on Friday, April 12, 2024."

The tension underscores longstanding animosity between Israel and Iran, with Israel previously conducting attacks against Iranian interests and proxies, citing concerns about potential aggression against it. The situation remains fluid, with both sides exchanging threats and rhetoric as the region braces for potential escalation.