TEL AVIV/BEIRUT: The Israeli military launched airstrikes on multiple sites in southern Lebanon on Saturday, following orders from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to target “dozens of sites” in response to cross-border rocket fire.
“In response to the rocket launch at Israel this morning, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have instructed the (military) to act forcefully against dozens of terror targets in Lebanon,” the Israeli army said in a statement.
However, Hezbollah denied involvement in the attacks, rejecting Israel’s accusations as “pretexts for its continued attacks on Lebanon.”
In a statement, the group said, “Hezbollah denies any involvement in the rocket fire from southern Lebanon into the occupied Palestinian territories (Israel).”
Escalating tensions on border
The Israeli military reported that three rockets were launched from Lebanon towards the Israeli town of Metula.
This marks the second such attack since December, raising concerns over the stability of the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israeli Army Radio, citing security sources, stated that military operations in southern Lebanon were ongoing. “There will be additional strikes in the coming hours,” the sources said.
According to a senior Hezbollah official cited by Al Jazeera, the group remains committed to the ceasefire and takes responsibility only for its own operations.
The official noted that Israel “does not need pretexts” to violate Lebanese sovereignty, accusing it of routinely launching assaults on Lebanon.
Israel-Hezbollah war and ceasefire agreement
Following the outbreak of the Gaza war, Hezbollah began launching rockets, drones, and missiles into Israel, escalating into full-scale war in September.
Israel responded with extensive airstrikes, resulting in the deaths of more than 4,000 people in Lebanon and displacing approximately 60,000 Israelis.
A ceasefire was agreed upon in November, under which Israeli forces were to withdraw from all Lebanese territory by late January.
The deadline was later extended to 18 February through diplomatic talks. However, Israel has maintained a presence in five locations in Lebanon and has continued airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, prompting Lebanon to appeal to the United Nations for pressure on Israel to withdraw.
Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed to prevent attacks on Israeli communities. “We promised security to the Galilee communities, and that is exactly what will happen,” Katz said on Saturday.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged the country’s military to take “all necessary measures” to maintain stability in the south but insisted that Lebanon does not seek a return to war.
