DUBAI, UAE - Hezbollah fired a ballistic missile toward Tel Aviv early Wednesday, marking the first time the group has used such a weapon since the start of war on Gaza on October 7.

The Qader 1 missile reportedly targeted the Mossad headquarters in the city’s suburbs.

In an official release, Hezbollah said that “the targeted Mossad facility is responsible for orchestrating assassinations and sabotage operations, including the detonation of pagers and wireless devices.”

The missile was launched from southern Lebanon at 6:30 am, according to the statement.

Sirens blared across Tel Aviv and other central areas, including the city of Netanya.

In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that their Air Force targeted the launch site in southern Lebanon. The IDF did not announce any change to civilian defense instructions in central Israel, despite the missile attack.

Over the past three days, Israel has increased its airstrikes on south and east Lebanon, following repeated missile and rocket launches by Hezbollah into northern Israel.

Lebanon's National News Agency reported heavy Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern regions, causing widespread damage. Hezbollah has responded by targeting Israeli military sites in northern Israel, according to its statements.

Lebanese Health Minister Firas al-Abiad reported that Israeli airstrikes on Monday alone resulted in the death of 558 civilians, the highest single-day toll recorded in Lebanon since the end of its civil war in 1990.

More than 1,800 people were injured in the attacks, with the majority of the casualties described as non-combatants.

Hezbollah vowed to continue its support for the "steadfast Palestinian people" in Gaza and to defend Lebanon against Israeli aggression.

Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in near-daily cross-border skirmishes since the outbreak of the war on Gaza.