Israel & Hezbollah exchange fire across Lebanon border
Hezbollah, supported by Iran, declared on Saturday that it had launched rockets at Israel. In response, Israel claimed to have targeted a “terrorist cell.” This development coincided with the visit of U.S. and EU diplomats to the region, who aimed to address concerns about the potential spillover effects of the conflict.
The Israeli military reported the identification of approximately 40 rocket launches from Lebanon toward the northern Israeli area of Meron after rocket sirens sounded across northern Israel. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Hezbollah stated that it attacked a significant Israeli observation post with 62 rockets, framing it as a “preliminary response” to the killing of Hamas’ deputy chief, Saleh al-Arouri, earlier in the week.
Tensions escalated following the drone attack that killed Arouri in the southern suburbs of Beirut, a stronghold of Hezbollah and a key ally of Hamas. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned on Friday that Lebanon would face more Israeli operations if his group did not respond to the killing.
In retaliation for the rocket attack, Israel conducted a UAV strike on the “terrorist cell” responsible. Israeli fighter jets and troops targeted Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon, including a launch post, military sites, and “terrorist infrastructure.”
Israel carried on its attack
The attacks over Gaza and the West Bank continued by Israel. An Israeli attack on a house east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza reportedly resulted in the deaths of 18 Palestinians, according to the official Palestinian WAFA news agency. In the West Bank village of Beit Rima, the Palestinian health ministry reported the death of a 17-year-old by Israeli forces, with four others injured.
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The situation in Gaza has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis, with shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. Israel denies deliberately targeting civilians in its campaign against Hamas, asserting that militants use civilian populations for cover. Hamas, in turn, denies this accusation.