Israel strikes Lebanon by claiming it intercepts rockets that Hezbollah denies fire
Israeli artillery and air strikes struck southern Lebanon on Saturday as Israel said it had intercepted rockets shot from the border, ending a shaky truce that ended a year-long war between Israel and Lebanese troops.
The conflict marked the deadliest spillover in the Gaza war, and months of cross-border exchanges were wiped out by Hezbollah’s supreme commander, many fighter jets and most of the arsenal.
Hezbollah denied responsibility for Saturday’s strike, saying it had no “no connection” with the rocket launch and was still committed to a ceasefire. No one claimed responsibility for the attack.
An Israeli official said the identity of the group launching the rocket has not been confirmed. The official said six Rockets were fired, three of them crossed Israel and were intercepted.
Since Israel actually abandoned a separate ceasefire in Gaza, Saturday’s exchange was with Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, Hamas, both supported by Israel’s Iran war.
Later that day, the Israeli military announced a second round of strikes against Hezbollah’s targets.
“We hope Lebanon will take care of part of the deal,” Ophir Falk, foreign policy adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told Reuters.
“this [Israel Defence Forces] “Everything will be done to implement the ceasefire and to ensure that our civilians can come home safely and safely,” Falk said.
Israeli forces said earlier Saturday that it intercepted three rockets launched about six kilometers north of the border, heading towards the Israeli border town of Metula, the second cross-border launch since a ceasefire by a U.S. agent since November.
In revenge, Netanyahu ordered the military to “strongly oppose dozens of terrorist targets in Lebanon.”
Israeli troops said it attacked dozens of Hezbollah rocket launchers and a command center, with militants operating in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon’s National News reported that Israeli air strikes and artillery barrage in the south of the country, including border towns and mountaintops about eight kilometers within Lebanon’s territory.
National News Agency NNA said two people were killed in an Israeli air strike near the border and eight were injured.
There are no reports of any casualties in Israel.
“Serious consequences for the area”
Under the November ceasefire agreement, Hezbollah will have no weapons in southern Lebanon, Israeli ground forces will withdraw, and Lebanese troops will be deployed to the area.
The agreement stipulates that the Lebanese government is responsible for dismantling all military infrastructure in southern Lebanon and confiscating all unauthorized weapons.
Lebanese residents returned to their hometowns to save their property nearly a week after the ceasefire in Herzbola, Israel. CBC’s Margaret Evans spoke to people in Nabatiyeh, southern Lebanon on Tuesday, who were eager to rebuild their homes and businesses but were worried that a fragile truce might not accommodate.
President Joseph Aoun ordered Lebanese troops to ensure “violations” that could threaten Lebanon’s stability. The Army said it has discovered and removed three “primitive rocket launchers” in the south.
Netanyahu said Israel held that the Lebanese government was responsible for “everything that happened in its territory” and that Israel would not allow any harm to its citizens and sovereignty.
The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon said it was shocked by the “turbulent” situation and any further escalation could have serious consequences for the region”.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned that military operations in southern Lebanon were updated, adding: “All security and military measures must be taken to show Lebanon’s decision on war and peace.”
The ceasefire ended the intense bombing and ground operations of Israel in Lebanon and Hezbollah’s daily rocket attacks. Both parties accused the other of failing to fully implement the transaction.
Israel said Hezbollah still has military infrastructure in the south. Lebanon and Hezbollah said Israel was continuing some air strikes and leaving its troops at five mountaintop locations near the border, thus occupying Lebanese land.
Children among people killed by Israeli forces in Gaza
In Gaza, health authorities say five Palestinians were killed in Israeli fires in the incident in the cities of Beit Lahiya and Gaza, including a child.
The Israeli military said many militants in a vehicle were identified as approaching its troops in northern Gaza, and they “posed a threat to them” and the military attacked them.
Gaza medical staff said an Israeli air strike in the city of Rafa was adjacent to the southern border between Gaza and Egypt, killing two Palestinians. Israel’s military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
