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[Global Times Special Correspondent in Egypt Huang Peizhao, Global Times Special Correspondent Wang Yi] On the 25th local time, Hezbollah in Lebanon declared that in retaliation for Israel's assassination of the organization's senior military commander Shukur, the first phase of the strike against Israel "ended successfully". On the same day, the Israel Defense Forces claimed that it had launched a preemptive strike against Hezbollah targets, and Hezbollah subsequently launched a large-scale attack on Israeli territory. Israel entered a 48-hour national state of emergency from 6:00 local time on the 25th. In response, the US government stated that it would continue to support Israel's right to self-defense. On the 25th, the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) issued a statement saying that Hezbollah's "strong and concentrated" counterattack against Israel that day was a "slap in the face" to the Israeli government.

According to the Times of Israel on the 25th, the Israeli army said in a statement that day that the Israeli army had detected in advance that Hezbollah in Lebanon would launch a large-scale attack on Israel at 5 a.m., and then launched a preemptive strike on targets in Lebanon before that to "eliminate the threat." The Israeli army said that the strike operation dispatched about 100 Israeli Air Force fighters to hit and destroy thousands of Hezbollah rocket launchers in southern Lebanon. Most of these launchers were aimed at northern Israel, and some were aimed at central Israel. Videos posted on social media showed that in order to counter the attack from Lebanon, Israel launched multiple "Iron Dome" interceptor missiles. Israel's Haaretz said that Hezbollah's goal was to attack the bases of the Israel Defense Forces Military Intelligence Agency and the Intelligence and Special Service Agency (Mossad) in central Israel.

On the same day, Hezbollah in Lebanon also issued a statement, but it was obviously different from the description of the Israeli military. The statement said that the organization fired more than 300 rockets at northern Israel and launched several drones carrying explosives. In addition, Hezbollah claimed to have attacked 11 military bases in northern Israel. Importantly, Hezbollah's statement refuted Israel's so-called preemptive strike. According to Iraq's Shafaq News Agency on the 25th, Hezbollah's statement stated that Israel's claim that its "preemptive actions, the targets of the attack, and the attacks to destroy the resistance are groundless and contradictory to the facts. All offensive drones are launched from all locations at specific times, and they cross the border into Israel from multiple routes and move towards their predetermined targets."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Galant handled "incidents related to northern Israel" in an underground command room at the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv in the early hours of the 25th. According to the Times of Israel, Netanyahu convened a security cabinet meeting that day to discuss the current situation in Israel and Lebanon. Subsequently, Netanyahu's office issued a statement vowing that Israel will take all necessary measures to defend itself. The statement said, "We are determined to do everything in our power to protect our country, allow the residents of the north to return home safely, and continue to follow a simple rule: whoever hurts us, we will hurt."

After the Israeli army launched an attack on Hezbollah targets, Galant spoke with U.S. Defense Secretary Austin on the phone, informing the latter of the Israeli army's actions, and the two also discussed how to avoid further escalation of the situation. The Pentagon released the content of the call on the 25th, saying that Austin reiterated Washington's firm commitment to Israel's defense against attacks by Iran and other regional partners and proxies. At the same time, Sean Savit, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said in a statement, "At the direction of President Biden, senior U.S. officials have been in communication with the Israeli side. We will continue to support Israel's right to self-defense and will continue to work for regional stability." According to Israel's Walla News Network, Israel notified the United States in advance of its attack on Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Even though Israel was prepared, Hezbollah's attack forced Israel to declare a 48-hour state of emergency. The Israeli Homeland Defense Command issued a civilian defense guide for Tel Aviv and the northern region on the 25th. Some flights at Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv were canceled. Qatar's Al Jazeera said on the 25th that Ben Gurion International Airport was one of the main strategic locations that Israel was worried about and expected Hezbollah to attack. However, the airport resumed operations two hours after it was closed.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel is preparing for a "grim week". A government source told Israel's Channel 12 on the 25th that Israel has no intention of escalating the situation into the Lebanon War. The source said, "This is not an attack aimed at provoking a war, but to eliminate a serious threat to millions of Israeli citizens. Whether the situation will continue to escalate depends on Hezbollah's actions." Al Jazeera said on the 25th that Israel's message is that the ball is now in Hezbollah's hands in terms of further escalation of the situation. The first phase of Hezbollah's retaliation has ended. The organization said that this is just the beginning of its retaliation, but there is no sign that the second phase is about to begin.

On the 25th, the Office of the Special Coordinator for Lebanon and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said in their latest statement that the developments in the border area between Lebanon and Israel were "worrying" and called on all parties to cease fire and not to further escalate the current tension. Al Jazeera reported on the 25th that after convening a ministerial meeting, Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Mikati said that efforts were being made to "prevent the escalation of the situation" and that "Israel's aggression must be stopped first." The Associated Press said on the 25th that so far, Hezbollah and Israel have been careful to avoid actions that could trigger a full-scale war, and they may each take a step back after the exchange of fire on the 25th.