BEIRUT - Hezbollah said early Sunday that it targeted an Israeli warship off the Lebanese coast with a cruise missile, claiming that a direct hit was confirmed.

In a statement, the group said the attack took place at midnight, targeting the vessel about 68 nautical miles off the Lebanese coast after hours of surveillance.

The group said the ship was preparing to carry out attacks on Lebanese territory, adding that the strike came in response to continued Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese towns and villages, as well as the destruction of infrastructure and the displacement of civilians.

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The incident comes amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah that have escalated in recent weeks, with Israeli airstrikes intensifying in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa region and Beirut's southern suburbs.