A number of Israeli officials have voiced criticism against the Israeli government following an early morning retaliatory strike by the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon - Hezbollah. The attack was in response to the assassination of senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shokor. 

The Israeli government has faced internal disputes after Hezbollah launched rocket salvos and swarms of drones in the initial phase of its retaliation. According to Israeli Channel 12, the Likud party, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is also experiencing internal disagreements.

In light of the situation, Netanyahu instructed his ministers and party members to refrain from making public statements.

Hanokh Milbitzky, a member of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Security Committee from the Likud, stated, "Israel has failed; the residents of the North are unprotected."

Gideon Sa’ar, head of the New Hope party, echoed the criticism, stating, "Israel's enemies are determining the timing and intensity of the escalation. Not us."

Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu from the Otzma Yehudit party, mockingly commented on the Israeli occupation's so-called "preemptive strike" against Hezbollah, saying, "Launching the attack following Tel Aviv's threat, while the North has been burning for months, is akin to allowing a thief to empty the house and only responding when he approaches the safe."

From the same party, the head of the National Security Committee and Reserves Brigadier General, Zvika Fogel, acknowledged that "Israel is being harmed by Hezbollah."

Meanwhile, Moshe Tur-Paz, Deputy Speaker of the Knesset from the Yesh Atid party, remarked that the government's claims of a "preemptive strike on Lebanon" are just another form of stagnation.

The head of the Metulla settlement's local council, David Azulai, underlined that the Israeli government was abandoning its settlers in the North. The unfolding situation, he said, was a mere "war for the protection of Tel Aviv."

Hezbollah attacks Israeli occupation

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon – Hezbollah launched an "initial response" to the assassination of Commander Martyr Fouad Shokor at dawn Sunday, on the anniversary of Imam Hussein's Arbaeen, by launching a large number of drones deep into the occupied Palestinian territories.

In a statement, the Resistance clarified that the attack targeted a strategic Israeli military site, adding that details about the specific target "will be disclosed at a later time."

Simultaneously, the Resistance struck multiple sites, military barracks, and Iron Dome installations belonging to the occupation forces in northern occupied Palestine with a heavy barrage of missiles.

Hezbollah further stated that these military operations will continue for some time, with a comprehensive statement to be issued afterward, detailing the course and objectives of the operations.

The Resistance concluded its statement by emphasizing that it remains at the highest level of readiness, prepared to respond decisively to any Israeli transgression or aggression, and warning against severe and harsh consequences, particularly if civilians are targeted.