Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah group launched a barrage of “dozens of Katyusha rockets” towards Israeli artillery positions on Friday, escalating tensions along the volatile border. The attack was purportedly in retaliation to Israeli strikes in the southern region.
Hezbollah, a staunch ally of Hamas, engaged in near-daily exchanges of cross-border fire with the Israeli army since Hamas initiated attacks on southern Israel on October 7, igniting conflict in Gaza.
In a statement, Hezbollah claimed to have targeted “enemy artillery positions” with the rocket salvo, citing Israeli strikes on southern Lebanese villages and civilian residences as the impetus for their actions.
Israeli military sources reported approximately 40 rocket launches from Lebanese territory, some of which were intercepted. No casualties were initially reported, although earlier, the Israeli military intercepted two Hezbollah drones crossing from Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency documented Israeli bombardment of several villages near the border, intensifying fears of further escalation.
The ongoing violence has resulted in a grim toll, with at least 363 fatalities in Lebanon, primarily Hezbollah fighters, alongside 70 civilian casualties. Israel has reported 10 military personnel and eight civilians killed.
The clashes have forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes on both sides of the border, underscoring the precarious situation in the region.
Hezbollah, a staunch ally of Hamas, engaged in near-daily exchanges of cross-border fire with the Israeli army since Hamas initiated attacks on southern Israel on October 7, igniting conflict in Gaza.
In a statement, Hezbollah claimed to have targeted “enemy artillery positions” with the rocket salvo, citing Israeli strikes on southern Lebanese villages and civilian residences as the impetus for their actions.
Israeli military sources reported approximately 40 rocket launches from Lebanese territory, some of which were intercepted. No casualties were initially reported, although earlier, the Israeli military intercepted two Hezbollah drones crossing from Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency documented Israeli bombardment of several villages near the border, intensifying fears of further escalation.
The ongoing violence has resulted in a grim toll, with at least 363 fatalities in Lebanon, primarily Hezbollah fighters, alongside 70 civilian casualties. Israel has reported 10 military personnel and eight civilians killed.
The clashes have forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee their homes on both sides of the border, underscoring the precarious situation in the region.
