ISTANBUL

Hezbollah said Saturday that it carried out 32 attacks in the last 24 hours, targeting Israeli military sites, troops and vehicles with rockets, drones and artillery.

It said the attacks came “in defense of Lebanon and its people” as Israel’s offensive on the country continues.

A statement said the operations targeted military bases, troop concentrations and armored vehicles in southern Lebanon and northern Israel.

The group said it struck the Mishar base, which it described as the main intelligence headquarters for Israel’s northern region, and the Dado base, headquarters of the Israeli army’s Northern Command.

Hezbollah also said it targeted an Israeli RC-12 reconnaissance aircraft above western Bekaa in eastern Lebanon, forcing it to withdraw.

The group said it hit a Hummer vehicle and seven Merkava tanks in the southern Lebanese towns of Qantara, Dibel and Bayyada, claiming direct hits.

It also reported clashes with Israeli forces in several areas of southern Lebanon, including Taybeh, Bayyada, Qantara and Shamaa.

The Israeli army said nine soldiers, including two officers, were wounded Saturday after rockets were fired from southern Lebanon.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan said seven soldiers and two officers were injured after rockets were launched toward them from southern Lebanon, without specifying whether the injuries were caused by direct hits or falling interceptor debris.

Israel has pounded Lebanon with airstrikes and launched a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2.

Lebanese authorities said at least 1,189 people have since been killed and 3,427 injured in Israeli attacks.

The escalation came amid a joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran, which has killed more than 1,340 people since Feb. 28. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and US bases in Gulf countries.