Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, announced on Wednesday that it launched a rocket aimed at the headquarters of the Mossad intelligence agency near Tel Aviv. The group attributed this action to the assassination of its leaders and the destruction of communication devices utilized by its members, marking a significant escalation in tensions that could lead to a full-scale war between the adversaries.

Israeli air defense systems intercepted the missile after it was detected crossing from Lebanon, prompting warning sirens to sound in Tel Aviv, Israel’s economic hub. Fortunately, there were no reports of damage or injuries, and the military indicated that civil defense protocols for central Israel remained unchanged.

Warning sirens were also activated in other central regions, including Netanya. In recent days, the Iranian-backed Hezbollah has launched hundreds of missiles and rockets at Israel, as the conflict along the southern Lebanese border has intensified.

The Israeli military has responded with its most extensive airstrikes of the conflict this week, targeting Hezbollah leaders and striking numerous locations deep within Lebanon. A notable airstrike on Tuesday in Beirut resulted in the death of senior Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Qubaisi, who was in charge of the group’s missile and rocket operations. He is among several prominent figures who have been killed since hostilities erupted between Israel and Hezbollah nearly a year ago, coinciding with the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Since Monday morning, Israel’s military operations have resulted in the deaths of 569 individuals, including 50 children, and left 1,835 injured in Lebanon, according to Health Minister Firass Abiad in an interview with Al Jazeera Mubasher TV. The renewed offensive against Hezbollah has raised concerns that the conflict involving Israel and the militant group Hamas in Gaza is escalating, potentially destabilizing the broader Middle East region.

The U.N. Security Council is scheduled to convene on Wednesday to address the ongoing conflict. U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres emphasized the precarious situation, stating, “Lebanon is at the brink. The people of Lebanon – the people of Israel – and the people of the world – cannot afford Lebanon to become another Gaza.”

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib reported that approximately half a million people have been displaced within the country. He mentioned that the Lebanese prime minister is expected to engage with U.S. officials in the coming days. In Beirut, many displaced individuals from southern Lebanon are taking refuge in schools and other facilities.

The Israeli military announced that its air force carried out “extensive strikes” on Tuesday targeting Hezbollah positions throughout southern Lebanon, including weapons depots and numerous launchers aimed at Israeli territory. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant stated that these operations have significantly weakened Hezbollah, asserting that the group has endured substantial losses in its command structure, personnel, and combat capabilities. He assured Israeli troops that these attacks would persist.