Israel launched deadly airstrikes on Lebanon on Saturday following a rocket attack from across the border, escalating tensions despite a ceasefire agreement. Lebanese officials reported that two people, including a young girl, were killed in the attack on the southern town of Touline.
The Israeli military had earlier reported that three rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel, triggering air raid sirens in the region. All the rockets were intercepted, according to Israeli forces. In response, Israel launched airstrikes and shelling on multiple locations in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah Denies Involvement
While Hezbollah has a strong presence in southern Lebanon and has engaged in border clashes with Israel, the Iran-backed group denied responsibility for the rocket attack.
“Hezbollah denies any involvement in the rocket fire from southern Lebanon into the occupied Palestinian territories,” the group said in a statement, dismissing Israel’s accusations as “pretexts for its continued attacks on Lebanon.”
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Warns of ‘New War’
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed concern over the latest escalation, warning that Lebanon could be dragged into a “new war” following months of relative calm.
The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) also voiced alarm, urging all parties to “avoid jeopardizing the fragile stability observed in recent months.”
Israel Holds Lebanon Responsible
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz insisted that Lebanon’s government was accountable for any attacks originating from its territory, regardless of who launched them.
“We cannot allow fire from Lebanon on Galilee communities,” Katz stated. “The Lebanese government is responsible for attacks from its territory. I have ordered the military to respond accordingly.”
Israeli Armed Forces Chief Eyal Zamir echoed this stance, warning that the military would “respond severely.”
Casualties and Ceasefire Violations
Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) reported that, in addition to the two fatalities in Touline, Israeli strikes injured two people in Kfarkila, a village near the border.
The latest escalation comes as Israel continues military operations in Gaza, five days after breaking a ceasefire with Hamas. On Friday, Israel’s defense minister ordered the army to seize more territory in Gaza, stating that “the more Hamas refuses to free the hostages, the more territory it will lose.”
The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah requires the militant group to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River and dismantle its military infrastructure in the south. However, Israel has also missed deadlines to withdraw from several strategic positions along the UN-demarcated Blue Line.
Wider Regional Tensions
The renewed violence on the Lebanon-Israel border highlights the growing instability in the region, with concerns that the conflict could spiral into a wider confrontation. Hezbollah has vowed to defend Lebanon while Israel has made it clear that it will continue responding to any perceived threats.
As diplomatic efforts intensify to prevent further escalation, the situation remains volatile, with fears of renewed hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah amid ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza.
Sources By Agencies
