JERUSALEM (VINnews)-IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir apologized to the Israeli public Thursday for the military’s failure to issue advance notification about Hezbollah’s large-scale rocket and drone attack on northern Israel the previous night, even as intelligence assessments of the planned barrage leaked to the media.

In a video statement released following a visit to the Northern Command headquarters, Zamir said an intelligence warning had surfaced Wednesday about the impending attack. The IDF responded by preparing defenses, conducting preemptive strikes, disrupting Hezbollah’s plans, bolstering air defense systems and neutralizing most of the threat.

“Most of the launchers were neutralized within minutes,” Zamir said.

Hezbollah launched approximately 200 rockets and 20 drones in what Israeli officials described as the group’s largest barrage of the current conflict, triggering repeated shelter alerts across northern communities and causing damage, including a direct hit on a home in central Israel. Two people were lightly injured.

Confusion arose among residents and local authorities Wednesday evening over defensive guidelines and the expected scale of the attack, leading to public criticism.

“If there was a mistake, and my starting point is that there was, I, as chief of staff, am responsible for everything,” Zamir said. “Public trust is the most important asset of the IDF, and if it has been harmed, I regret it; we will investigate and learn.”

The apology comes amid heightened escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, part of a broader regional conflict involving Iran. Israeli forces have carried out extensive strikes in Lebanon, including in Beirut, in response to the barrage and ongoing attacks.