The IDF responded to the huge rocket salvos from Hezbollah over night with around 10 simultaneous strikes on areas of southern Lebanon.

Lebanese media reports have quoted locals saying they felt “severe shockwaves" during the attacks. 

The IDF strikes came hours after Hezbollah launched more than 50 rockets and a swarm of drones, hitting homes in the Golan Heights and wounding one person.

Israeli warplanes struck weapons depots, military buildings and a launcher used by Hezbollah in the overnight operation, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Thursday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that the Israeli Air Force was prepared for "any scenario," whether offensive or defensive, near or far.

During a visit to the Ramat David Airbase in the north's Jezreel Valley, Netanyahu said: "The Air Force is our iron fist which knows how to hit the soft underbelly of our enemies. The ground crews, pilots and commanders here are doing heroic work. They have proven this time and again and if we need to – we will prove it again even more vigorously.”

The Israeli PM viewed an exhibition of combat systems at the base, including attack helicopters and jets. He was also shown both offensive and defensive capabilities.

IAF fighter jets have conducted thousands of sorties in Gaza, Lebanon and elsewhere in the region over more than 10 months of war.

During a meeting with the families of Hamas hostages and fallen soldiers on Tuesday, Netanyahu stressed that Israel will continue to press for a truce deal that will free as many living hostages as possible while retaining security control over key areas of Gaza.

Jerusalem is “making an effort to return the hostages under conditions that will allow a maximum number of captives to be released in the first stage of the deal,” he told members of the Tikva Forum for Families of Hostages and HaGvura – The Forum for Families of Fallen Heroes.

“I say this clearly – this is a goal I set,” said Netanyahu, adding: “But the other thing is to preserve our strategic security assets in the face of great pressures at home and from abroad, and we continue to stand on this.”

The premier said that the Israel Defence Forces continues to make gains against Hamas in Gaza, highlighting the capture of the Rafah Crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor, which runs along the Gaza-Egypt border, as well as the killing of top Hamas commander Mohammed Deif.

“The main thing: to eliminate Hamas and achieve victory. We are approaching it step by step,” he told the families who gathered at his office. “We [are working] with all our strength to dismantle the Hamas regime and eliminate their military capabilities, and it is progressing.”