Hezbollah Fires Missiles and Drones at Israel in Retaliation for Khamenei's Death

The militant group Hezbollah has fired missiles and drones at Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

“The leadership of the resistance has always emphasised that the continuation of Israeli attacks and the killing of our leaders, youth, and people gives us the right to defend ourselves and retaliate at the appropriate time and place,” the group stated in a declaration released on Monday 2 March 2026.

Hezbollah stated they attacked Israel “in retaliation for the pure blood of Ali Khamenei, to defend Lebanon and its people, and in response to repeated Israeli attacks.”

The projectiles launched from Lebanon triggered air raid sirens across several areas in northern Israel on Sunday 1 March local time. This marks the first launch from Lebanese territory since the commencement of US and Israeli attacks against Iran.

The Israeli military swiftly conducted strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including in the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam described the launch of projectiles from southern Lebanon as an “irresponsible” and “suspicious” action that endangers Lebanon’s security.

Previously, Israel and Lebanon had agreed to a ceasefire mediated by the United States in 2024, ending fighting that had lasted over a year between Israel and Hezbollah. However, amid the ceasefire, both sides have resumed launching attacks against each other.

Hezbollah, long one of Iran’s principal allies in the Middle East, had expressed solidarity with Iran on Saturday. However, at that time, they did not indicate whether they would become directly involved in armed conflict.