The Israeli military launched air and artillery strikes on multiple sites in southern Lebanon on Saturday, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s order to target what he described as “dozens of terror sites” in response to cross-border rocket fire.
“In response to the rocket launch at Israel this morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have instructed the [military] to act forcefully against dozens of terror targets in Lebanon,” the Israeli army said in a statement.
Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement denied involvement in the attack, calling Israel’s claims “pretexts to justify its ongoing aggression.” The group reiterated its commitment to a ceasefire agreement reached in November and said it “stands behind the Lebanese state” in handling the escalation.
Israeli strikes on the town of Touline killed two people, including a girl, and wounded three others, according to Lebanese state media. The attacks prompted concern from U.N. peacekeepers, who warned of “serious consequences for the region” if violence continues.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam condemned Israel’s renewed operations, warning they could push Lebanon into a “new war.” He stressed that only the Lebanese state has the authority to decide on war and peace. His comments came after the Israeli military said it had intercepted three projectiles fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel.
Warning sirens were heard in the Israeli town of Metula, though no casualties were reported. Israeli artillery responded by targeting sites in Yohmor and al-Hamames, while fighter jets struck multiple locations in the south, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA).
The Israeli military said Chief of the General Staff Eyal Zamir conducted a “situational assessment” and vowed to respond “severely” to the attacks, holding Lebanon responsible for upholding the ceasefire agreement.
The ceasefire, in place since November, ended more than a year of cross-border hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which intensified after Israel’s ground invasion of southern Lebanon in October. The agreement required Israeli forces to withdraw from Lebanon, but five military posts remain near the border. Beirut considers their presence a violation of the deal and has called on the U.N. to pressure Israel to withdraw.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have continued. According to Al Jazeera, seven people were killed in Lebanon and 34 in Gaza, while the U.S. carried out strikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah. Reports from Gaza indicate that several people were killed and wounded in Israeli attacks on Rafah and Khan Younis. The Quds News Network reported that Israeli forces struck the Shaat family home in Rafah’s Nasr neighborhood and a house in Khan Younis’ Japanese neighborhood.
A video posted by the outlet showed Palestinian medics and civilians carrying bodies wrapped in blankets into a hospital in Khan Younis. Casualty figures are still being verified.
With inputs from agencies.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
