Army shows long range missile on launcher in family’s attic; notes secondary explosions following airstrikes. Gallant: Hezbollah arsenal is being crushed and Nasrallah “alone at top”.

Israel published evidence that Hezbollah had placed munitions in homes on Monday, in an attempt to counter criticism over the wide-ranging attacks which targeted Lebanon’s residences and killed hundreds of people and injured more than 1,200.

Israel claimed that drones, cruise missiles and rockets with heavy warheads had been hidden in Lebanese houses before they were hit by air strikes. Israel Defense Forces released pictures of what they said was a long range rocket mounted on an hydraulic launcher, sitting in the attic a Lebanese home.

According to his office, Defense Minister Yoav Galant said during a trip to the command room of the IDF Operations Directorate.

Israel launched strikes against 1,600 Hezbollah sites in Lebanon on Monday, said IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. Most of the strikes were aimed at weapons that were stored in houses.

The list included “cruise-missiles capable of reaching hundreds of kilometers; heavy rockets with 1,000-kilogram-warheads; medium-range missiles that have a range up to 200 kms; short-range-rockets and armed unmanned aircraft.”

The attic of a house in Houmine al-Tahta, a village in southern Lebanon. (Israel Defense Forces).

Israel published evidence that Hezbollah had placed munitions in homes on Monday, in an attempt to counter criticism over the wide-ranging attacks which targeted Lebanon’s residences and killed hundreds of people and injured more than 1,200.

Israel claimed that drones, cruise missiles and rockets with heavy warheads had been hidden in Lebanese houses before they were hit by air strikes. Israel Defense Forces released pictures of what they said was a long range rocket mounted on an hydraulic launcher, sitting in the attic a Lebanese home.

According to his office, Defense Minister Yoav Galant said during a trip to the command room of the IDF Operations Directorate.

Israel launched strikes against 1,600 Hezbollah sites in Lebanon on Monday, said IDF Spokesman Rear Admir. Daniel Hagari. Most of the strikes were aimed at weapons that were stored in houses.

The list included “cruise-missiles capable of reaching hundreds of kilometers; heavy rockets with 1,000-kilogram-warheads; medium-range missiles with a range up to 200 kms; short-range-rockets and armed unmanned aircraft.”

The IDF chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, also commented on the strikes. He called the campaign a “proactive offensive operation.”

“We’re taking away the military infrastructure Hezbollah has built over 20 years.” Halevi, in a video released by the IDF from a military underground command room assessment, said: “This is very important.”

“We are preparing for the next stage, we are aiming at targets… everything must be done to create the conditions that will allow [displaced] residents to return to their homes,” added he.

Israeli officials had repeatedly warned Lebanese civilians to flee from areas where Hezbollah’s weapons were hidden. This prompted tens and thousands of Lebanese citizens to run for their lives.

Hagari pointed to an image of a long-range rocket perched on a launch system with bricks in a room in the Houmine al-Tahta village in southern Lebanon. He said that the missile was ready to be launched from a hole in the roof. A Lebanese household lives on the first-floor attic of the home, acting as a human barrier.

He said at a press briefing that the images were a real and immediate threat to Israeli civilians. The IDF had no way to verify their authenticity.

Israel also said that other footage of Hezbollah using homes for rocket arsenals was proof.

In a video released by the Army, a rocket was seen launching from a billowing blast following an airstrike and slamming straight into a building nearby.

Hagari stated that “This is yet another proof of Hezbollah’s transformation of southern Lebanon into war zone”.

Other videos released by IDF show similar types of secondary blasts, and footage from at least one attack on a southern Lebanon building shows similar explosions.

Israel has accused Hezbollah for years of turning entire communities in the southern Lebanon into terror base, complete with rocket launchers and infrastructure.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, said to the Lebanese in an audio recording that he addressed them: “Hezbollah is using you as human slings for too long.” It placed missiles and rockets in the garages of your homes. These rockets and missiles were aimed at our cities directly, at our citizens.

He said, “Once we are done with our operation, you can return safely to your home.”

To defend our people from Hezbollah attacks, we must use these weapons.

Lebanese officials confirmed that at least 492 were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Monday, and around 1,645 others injured. This was one of the most deadly days in recent memory for the war-torn country.

In a video statement, Netanyahu told Lebanese that the “Israeli war is not against you.” It’s Hezbollah.”

I urge you to take this warning very seriously. Hezbollah cannot be trusted to protect your life and that of your family. Don’t let Hezbollah endanger Lebanon.”

Netanyahu said, “Please get out of harms way immediately.” Once our operation is over, you will be able to return safely to your home.

People seeking shelter in the coastal city Sidon flooded into schools where there were no mattresses available. Many people waited outside on the sidewalks.

Fatima Chehab who arrived with her three daughters in the Nabatieh area said that her family was displaced twice within a short period of time.

She said, “First we fled to my brother’s house in the nearby area and then three bombings were carried out near his home.”

Some people spent hours waiting in gridlocked traffic for what they thought would be safety.

Yahya Ab Ali, who fled from his village of Doueir, in the Nabatieh District, Lebanon, with his family, took a defiant stance.

He said: “Don’t believe that an aircraft or missile can defeat us or that a person who is injured or a martyr will weaken us.” “On the other hand, it gives strength, determination and resilience.”

Hagari stated that the Lebanese death count included “many terrorists” which he said he had killed