Israel launches preemptive strike on Hezbollah in Lebanon, IDF says --Tel Aviv airport closes, officials say | 24 Aug 2024 | Israel launched a preemptive strike on Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a video on X. "A short while ago, the IDF identified the Hezbollah terrorist organization preparing to fire missiles and rockets toward Israeli territory," Hagari said. "In a self-defense act to remove these threats, the IDF is striking terror targets in Lebanon, from which Hezbollah was planning to launch their attacks on Israeli civilians," Hagari continued. Lebanese media reported strikes in the country's south without immediately providing more details. Social media footage showed what appeared to be strikes in southern Lebanon. Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport has temporarily closed Sunday morning, officials said.