Israel’s military said it carried out airstrikes Monday targeting Hamas positions throughout the Gaza Strip, one year after a Hamas attack on southern Israel sparked a war that includes fighting in Lebanon and concerns about a regional conflict.
The targets included Hamas rocket-launching positions. Hamas said Monday it fired rockets at areas near several border crossings in southern Israel.
The Israeli military also said it struck targets used by the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon, including attacks on Beirut, parts of southern Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley.
Hezbollah rockets hit the northern Israeli city of Haifa, where Israeli media said at least 10 people were injured.
Hezbollah said it targeted an Israeli military base south of Haifa.
Ahead of Monday’s anniversary, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited troops Sunday in northern Israel.
“A year ago, we took a terrible blow,” Netanyahu said, according to a statement from his office. “In the 12 months since then, we have changed the reality across the board. The entire world is astonished by the blows you are landing on our enemies. I salute you and tell you: You are the generation of victory.”
The White House said US President Joe Biden would mark the anniversary of the attacks Monday, including with candle lighting.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated the government’s support for Israel’s self-defense in a phone call Sunday with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the Pentagon said in a statement.
Austin “reiterated unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel’s security, a ceasefire in Gaza, and a diplomatic resolution that enables citizens to return safely to their homes on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border,” Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said.
Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people in their October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. They also took about 250 people hostage, with around 100 still being held and about one-third of those believed to be dead.
Israel’s military campaign of air and ground attacks has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 97,000, according to the health ministry in Gaza. The ministry does not say how many of the dead were militants but has said just more than half were women and children.
Both Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated as terror organizations by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union, and others.
READ MORE: War in Gaza: A year at war