Israel conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, responding to rocket fire that targeted its territory. The attack resulted in the deaths of two people, including a child, marking the most intense violence in the region since a ceasefire was established with Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group.
Earlier that day, rockets were launched from Lebanon into northern Israel, raising alarms about the stability of the fragile ceasefire. Hezbollah denied involvement in the rocket fire, claiming it remains committed to the truce and accusing Israel of using the incident as an excuse to escalate its military actions.
The Israeli military had warned of a strong response to the rocket attacks, which were aimed at the town of Metula. Following the strikes, Lebanon’s health ministry reported that eight additional people were injured in the village of Touline.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensified after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, leading to a series of violent exchanges. Since then, over 4,000 people have died in Lebanon, and around 60,000 Israelis have been displaced. Under a ceasefire reached in November, Israel was expected to withdraw from Lebanese territory, but the deadline has been extended as tensions remain high.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces continue to operate in several locations within Lebanon and have conducted numerous airstrikes, claiming to target Hezbollah positions. Israel’s Prime Minister’s office stated that the military has been instructed to strike forcefully against various targets in Lebanon to protect its citizens.
A Hezbollah official described the recent rocket attack as "primitive" and reiterated that the group was not responsible. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, urged the military to take necessary measures in the south but expressed a desire to avoid a return to conflict.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern over the potential for escalating violence and called for all parties to refrain from actions that could undermine the fragile peace achieved in recent months.
As tensions rise in the region, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging both sides to prioritize peace and stability.