On Wednesday, four rockets were fired at Israel from southern Lebanon amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military retaliated by firing artillery shells targeting the source of the rocket launches.
“Four rockets were just fired from Lebanon at northern Israel, one of which was intercepted by the Iron Dome. In response, IDF artillery forces are striking a number of targets in Lebanon. We are prepared for any scenario on any front,” the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Twitter. The IDF added that while one rocket fell in an open field in Israel near the border with Lebanon, two other projectiles landed out at sea. No direct injuries were reported as a result of the rocket fire; however, two Israelis were lightly hurt while running for cover. It was also not clear as to who fired the rockets, as no group has claimed responsibility so far.
A security source in Lebanon told Reuters that Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Lebanese militant group that has fought with Israel in the past, was not involved in the latest incident and that the group was trying to determine the source of the launches. The news agency also reported that the projectiles were most likely launched by a Palestinian group in Lebanon.
The Lebanese army released a statement saying that it had found 17 artillery shells launched by the Israeli military and added that “the shelling did not result in any damage or injuries.” Additionally, the army stated that it had found “four empty rocket launchers and a platform equipped with a missile that was intended to be launched” towards Israel.
This was the third instance of rockets being launched at Israel from Lebanon since the latest hostilities between Israel and militants in Gaza began more than a week ago. Three rockets were fired at Israel last week by groups in southern Lebanon and a further six rockets were launched on Monday from the same region. A Lebanese man was also shot and killed by Israeli forces on Friday as he and others tried to cross a security fence on the border with Israel while protesting against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Massive demonstrations by Lebanese citizens and Palestinian refugees sparked by Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have continued in the Mediterranean country for more than a week.
Over 200 Gazans have died, including more than 50 children, as a result of Israeli airstrikes on the enclave. Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, on the other hand, have launched some 4000 rockets at Israel over the last 10 days, killing 12 people. Both sides have shown little interest in ending the conflict while international efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continue.
Lebanon Launches Rockets at Israel, IDF Responds With Artillery Fire
The incident was the third time that rockets were launched at Israel from Lebanon since the latest hostilities between Israel and militants in Gaza began more than a week ago.
May 20, 2021
Israeli soldiers on the border between Israel and Lebanon SOURCE: BASEL AWIDAT/FLASH 90