BEIRUT/ TEL AVIV: Early Sunday morning saw a continuation of intense cross-border clashes between Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon and Israeli forces, following a series of attacks that have exacerbated the ongoing conflict. The exchange of fire comes a day after the Lebanese health ministry reported the deaths of three rescuers due to an Israeli airstrike.
Hezbollah launched a volley of Falaq rockets at the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona in retaliation for what it described as a deliberate Israeli attack on emergency workers in the Lebanese village of Froun.
According to Lebanese sources, the Israeli strike targeted a firefighting team working to contain fires caused by previous attacks. The Israeli military, however, claimed that it had struck Hezbollah-allied Amal fighters who were involved in hostile activities.
The Israeli military also reported a series of airstrikes on Hezbollah military structures and intercepted projectiles launched from Lebanon. These actions are part of the broader conflict that has seen frequent escalations since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, which triggered a larger conflict in the Gaza Strip and subsequent cross-border violence.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the Israeli strike as a “blatant violation of international laws” and stressed that it represents a continuation of aggression against Lebanon. The attack on Froun was described as the second such incident targeting emergency teams within a 12-hour period, highlighting the perilous conditions faced by rescue workers amid the ongoing violence.
Hezbollah’s retaliatory actions have included rocket attacks and the use of explosives-laden drones. The cross-border violence has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with at least 614 reported deaths in Lebanon, including 138 civilians, and 50 deaths in Israel, comprising both soldiers and civilians.
In response to these escalations, Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad reported that 27 emergency personnel and health workers have been killed, and 94 injured since October. He condemned the repeated attacks on healthcare facilities and workers, calling for an end to such deliberate targeting.
The situation remains highly volatile, with ongoing military actions and heightened tensions contributing to the humanitarian crisis in the region.
