Israel has issued a warning that it will retaliate after three rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel. The Israeli Defence Minister stated that such attacks on communities in the Galilee region would not be tolerated and held the Lebanese government responsible for any aggression originating from its territory. He confirmed that the military had been instructed to respond accordingly.
The rocket fire triggered air raid sirens early in the morning in Metula, a town near the Lebanese border. The Israeli military later reported that all three rockets had been intercepted before they could cause any damage.
Following the attack, Israeli warplanes were seen flying over eastern areas of southern Lebanon. There were reports of Israeli ground forces responding with automatic weapon fire in the Hamames hills. Artillery fire was also directed toward the Nabatieh district in southern Lebanon, and the town of Khiam was struck by shells fired from Merkava tanks. Border villages, including Hula, Markaba, and Kfar Kila, also came under fire from automatic weapons.
The incident comes after a period of relative calm following a truce that had been in effect since November 27. The agreement had largely paused over a year of hostilities between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel. Prior to the truce, two months of intense conflict had seen Israel deploy ground forces into Lebanese territory.
Tensions along the border remain high, with Israel reiterating its commitment to ensuring the security of its northern communities. The latest exchange of fire raises concerns that the fragile ceasefire may not hold, potentially leading to further escalation.
