For the first time since the ceasefire agreement in November, multiple rockets were launched from Lebanon into Israeli territory on Saturday. In response, Israel carried out its most severe airstrikes in Lebanon in the past four months.
The Israeli military stated that it targeted several rocket launchers and a command center controlled by Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant and political group in southern Lebanon.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, at least two people, including a child, were killed, and eight others were injured in the Israeli airstrikes. However, Hezbollah denied launching rockets at Israel. The Lebanese authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
The escalation occurred after Israel resumed operations against Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli military reported intercepting three rockets fired from Lebanon toward the northern Israeli city of Metula, with no reported casualties.
Lebanon’s military confirmed dismantling three rocket launchers in the southern part of the country. The Lebanese defense minister announced an ongoing investigation into the incident.
Hezbollah reiterated its commitment to the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire agreement, which was brokered by the U.S. and France. Despite the agreement, Saturday’s cross-border attacks were described as the most intense since the ceasefire came into effect.
According to the BBC, Lebanon deployed thousands of additional troops in the south to prevent armed groups from launching attacks on Israel, as stipulated in the ceasefire terms.
