Illustrative image. (The Israeli Defense Forces)
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out dozens of strikes against Lebanon on March 22 afternoon in response to a rocket attack that Hezbollah denied responsibility for.
In a statement, the IDF announced that it had struck dozens of Hezbollah rocket launchers and a command center used by the group in Lebanon, in response to the morning’s rocket attack on the northern Israeli settlement of Metula.
The rocket attack “is a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon and a direct threat to Israeli citizens,” the military said, adding that “the State of Lebanon bears responsibility for upholding the agreement.”
Lebanon’s National News Agency said that four people, including a girl, were killed in southern Lebanon by one of the Israeli strikes.
“The Israeli enemy strike on the town of Touline resulted… in the death of two people, including a girl, and the injury of eight others, including two children,” the state-run news agency citiged the health ministry’s emergency unit as saying, describing it as a “preliminary toll.”
Hezbollah denied responsibility for the attack on Metula. In a statement, the group said that it “reiterates its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and stands behind the Lebanese state in addressing this dangerous Zionist escalation against Lebanon.”
Meanwhile, the Lebanese Armed Forces said in a statement that it located and dismantled three makeshift rocket launchers between the southern Lebanese towns of Kfar Tebnit and Arnoun, which were used in this morning’s attack on Metula.
“Military units continue to take the necessary measures to control the situation in the south,” the military added.
According to an IDF probe, a total of six rockets were fired from Lebanon at Metula. Three were intercepted by Israeli air defenses, while the other three fell short in southern Lebanon. The attack didn’t cause any injuries or damage. The military is reportedly still investigating which group was behind the attack.
Warning from escalation, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon said that the rocket fire from Lebanon and Israeli response “could have serious consequences for the region.”
“We strongly urge all parties to avoid jeopardizing the progress made, especially when civilian lives and the fragile stability observed in recent months are at risk,” the force said in a statement.
“The situation remains extremely fragile, and we encourage both sides to uphold their commitments. UNIFIL peacekeepers remain in all positions,” it added.
A ceasefire brokered by the United States last November was supposed to end all clashes on the Israeli-Lebanese border by February 18. However, the IDF continues to launch strikes against Hezbollah. It also maintains five strategic posts in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah, which took heavy losses during the last confrontation with the IDF, appears to be exercising strategic patience while it redefine its policies and reorganize its forces.
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