Israel Launches Second Wave of Strikes on Lebanon Following Rocket Fire
Israeli Defense Forces target Hezbollah sites in response to missile attacks, as civilian casualties are reported.
Israel has initiated a second wave of airstrikes against targets in Lebanon in response to rocket fire directed at its territory.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to conduct a series of strikes against what are described as "terrorist targets" belonging to Hezbollah.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, this military action follows earlier strikes conducted on the same day, which primarily targeted southern Lebanon.
The IDF has reported that its forces struck command centers, infrastructure, missile launch sites, and an arms storage facility associated with Hezbollah.
An Israeli military statement emphasized that operations will continue as deemed necessary to protect Israeli civilians.
Casualty reports from Lebanon indicate that at least one person has been killed and seven others injured due to Israeli airstrikes on the coastal city of Tyre.
Additional strikes in the region have reportedly resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including a child, and left eleven injured in the town of Toulin located in the Marja'youn district of Nabatieh Governorate.
Other areas in southern and eastern Lebanon were also targeted, resulting in further injuries.
Earlier reports mentioned two fatalities, including a child, from airstrikes in southern Lebanon, which the Lebanese National News Agency attributed to Israel’s retaliation for missile launches from Lebanese territory.
The IDF confirmed its interception of three missiles, launched from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel, during the same day.
Israeli media noted that this marks the first instance of missile fire from Lebanon in three months, characterizing it as a serious violation attributed to Hezbollah.
The Israeli government reported that six missiles were launched towards the Galilee region, with three successfully intercepted by the Israel Air Force.
The IDF has released video footage showing the strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.
In a public statement, Hezbollah denied any role in the rocket launches, affirming its commitment to a ceasefire agreement and expressing its support for the Lebanese state in addressing the escalation.
The recent escalation follows a ceasefire agreement established on November 27, which had halted extensive hostilities between the Israeli military and Hezbollah that spanned two months as Hezbollah aligned with Hamas amid ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip since October 2023.
In response to the recent violence, the Lebanese Army reported the dismantling of three makeshift rocket launch platforms in southern Lebanon following the rocket attacks on Israel.
Concerns regarding a potential new conflict have been raised by Lebanese officials.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned of the dangers of rekindling military operations along the southern border, stating that such actions could lead Lebanon back into a devastating war.
He emphasized the necessity for all security and military measures to ensure that the state maintains control over decisions regarding war and peace.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned attempts to draw Lebanon back into violence, describing the escalation as a persistent assault on Lebanon that undermines the national salvation project supported by many Lebanese citizens.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern over the potential for violence escalation, urging all parties to avoid undermining progress and emphasizing that any further escalation could have severe regional implications.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to conduct a series of strikes against what are described as "terrorist targets" belonging to Hezbollah.
According to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, this military action follows earlier strikes conducted on the same day, which primarily targeted southern Lebanon.
The IDF has reported that its forces struck command centers, infrastructure, missile launch sites, and an arms storage facility associated with Hezbollah.
An Israeli military statement emphasized that operations will continue as deemed necessary to protect Israeli civilians.
Casualty reports from Lebanon indicate that at least one person has been killed and seven others injured due to Israeli airstrikes on the coastal city of Tyre.
Additional strikes in the region have reportedly resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including a child, and left eleven injured in the town of Toulin located in the Marja'youn district of Nabatieh Governorate.
Other areas in southern and eastern Lebanon were also targeted, resulting in further injuries.
Earlier reports mentioned two fatalities, including a child, from airstrikes in southern Lebanon, which the Lebanese National News Agency attributed to Israel’s retaliation for missile launches from Lebanese territory.
The IDF confirmed its interception of three missiles, launched from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel, during the same day.
Israeli media noted that this marks the first instance of missile fire from Lebanon in three months, characterizing it as a serious violation attributed to Hezbollah.
The Israeli government reported that six missiles were launched towards the Galilee region, with three successfully intercepted by the Israel Air Force.
The IDF has released video footage showing the strikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.
In a public statement, Hezbollah denied any role in the rocket launches, affirming its commitment to a ceasefire agreement and expressing its support for the Lebanese state in addressing the escalation.
The recent escalation follows a ceasefire agreement established on November 27, which had halted extensive hostilities between the Israeli military and Hezbollah that spanned two months as Hezbollah aligned with Hamas amid ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip since October 2023.
In response to the recent violence, the Lebanese Army reported the dismantling of three makeshift rocket launch platforms in southern Lebanon following the rocket attacks on Israel.
Concerns regarding a potential new conflict have been raised by Lebanese officials.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned of the dangers of rekindling military operations along the southern border, stating that such actions could lead Lebanon back into a devastating war.
He emphasized the necessity for all security and military measures to ensure that the state maintains control over decisions regarding war and peace.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned attempts to draw Lebanon back into violence, describing the escalation as a persistent assault on Lebanon that undermines the national salvation project supported by many Lebanese citizens.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern over the potential for violence escalation, urging all parties to avoid undermining progress and emphasizing that any further escalation could have severe regional implications.
