In true definition of the phrase, fighting fire with fire
Fires at 15 Israeli sites after 150 missiles launched from Lebanon
Fires have broken out in 15 locations in the occupied Golan Heights and Upper Galilee after 150 rockets were launched from Lebanon at northern Israel, Israeli daily Maariv reports.
Israeli firefighters work following rocket attacks from Lebanon near the border on its Israeli side, on June 13
Fires break out in southern Lebanon
Local media platforms have published videos showing an outbreak of fires in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces have launched raids targeting the vicinity of the towns of Haris and Marjayoun, causing fires in the area, local media reported.
اندلاع حريق في حرش بركات في جديدة مرجعيون جراء الغارة التي استهدفت المكان منذ قليل وتوجهت سيارات الدفاع المدني لإخماد الحريق pic.twitter.com/2cookR9BR4
— Macario21 (@Macario218) June 13, 2024
Translation: A fire broke out in Horsh Barakat in Jdeidet Marjayoun as a result of the raid that targeted the place a short while ago, and civil defence vehicles went to extinguish the fire.
Hezbollah says it launched attack on six Israeli military sites
The Lebanese group says it launched an attack with rockets and drones on six Israeli military sites in retaliation for an Israeli attack that killed a senior Hezbollah field commander.
Hezbollah fighters launched “an attack with rockets and drones, targeting six barracks and military sites” while simultaneously flying “squadrons of explosive-laden drones” at three other Israeli bases, the group said in a statement.
Hezbollah, Iran and Lebanon bear responsibility for border flare-up: Israel
Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer said has alleged that Hezbollah, its Iranian backer and the Lebanese government are responsible for the spiralling violence across the Israel-Lebanon border and hinted that escalation could be in the works.
“Lebanon and Hezbollah, under the guidance of Iran, bear full responsibility for the deterioration of the security situation in the north,” Mencer said. “Whether through diplomatic efforts – or otherwise – Israel will restore security on our northern border,” he added.
Does ceasefire in Gaza mean Israeli escalation with Hezbollah?
Analysts told Al Jazeera a ceasefire in Gaza could shift Israel’s military focus to Lebanon, where it has exchanged attacks with Hezbollah since the day after October 7.
Israel has killed about 300 Hezbollah members and more than 70 civilians during this time, while Israel says it has lost about 15 soldiers and 10 civilians.
The exchanges across Lebanon’s southern border are not exactly tit-for-tat. Al Jazeera found in an April investigation that Israel had launched more than five attacks on Lebanon for every attack from Hezbollah.
Read our piece here on whether a ceasefire in Gaza means Israeli escalation with Hezbollah.
