Israel launches dozens of air strikes on southern Lebanon
Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu has ordered air strikes against dozens of “terrorist” targets in Lebanon in response to rocket fire. The army “is currently attacking Hezbollah terrorist targets in southern Lebanon. To be continued”, said military spokesman Avichay Adraee.
No group has claimed responsibility for five rockets launched towards northern Israel. No damage or casualties have been reported. Israel’s military vowed a “severe response” to the attack.
President Aoun condemns attempts to weaken Lebanon
President Joseph Aoun has condemned “attempts” to destabilise Lebanon and reignite violence, according to a statement by his office.
“What happened today in the south, and what has continued there since February 18, constitutes a persistent assault on Lebanon and a blow to its rescue project, which the Lebanese have unanimously agreed upon,” the presidency quoted him as saying in an X post.
Aoun urged “all relevant forces” in southern Lebanon to closely monitor the situation and take all necessary precautions to prevent further escalation.
Lebanon’s army ‘dismantles’ rocket launch site
The Lebanese military says it dismantled three makeshift rocket batteries in the south of the country after projectiles were launched towards Israel.
“The army … discovered three homemade rocket launch pads in the region north of the Litani River” and “proceeded with their dismantling”, the military said in a statement.
Resistance will continue as long ‘as Israel occupies southern Lebanon’
Analyst Sultan Barakat says while Hezbollah’s capabilities have been reduced, the reason for its existence remains the same: The “occupation of south Lebanon by Israel”.
“As long as the occupation continues, including the control of the five points they have maintained despite the ceasefire agreement, the resistance will continue,” the professor at Hamad bin Khalifa University in Doha told Al Jazeera.
Barakat also said while it is likely its attacks won’t be as intense as in the past, Israel will still want the Lebanese government “to feel the pressure all the time in Beirut”.
One killed, 3 wounded by air raid in southern Lebanon
Israeli air raids have struck a multitude of villages across southern Lebanon, reports Lebanon’s National News Agency.
An attack in the village of Touline killed one person and injured three, the agency said.
Which areas in southern Lebanon are Israeli air raids targeting?
As we’ve been reporting, Israeli air raids are being reported across southern Lebanon. According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, the areas include:
- Kfar Kila
- Touline
- Yahmar al-Shaqif
- Bouslaiya
- Birkat al-Jabour
- Kfar Houneh
- Mahmoudiyeh
- Wadi Zebqin
- Ar-Rihan
- Iqlim al-Tuffah
- Outskirts of Beit Lif
- Outskirts of Ain Qana
- Outskirts of Kfar Melki
- Outskirts of Tayr Harfa
More casualties reported from air raid on Lebanon’s Touline
At least two people are confirmed killed and eight others injured by Israeli air raids, reports Lebanon’s National News Agency.
Three of the victims, including one of those killed, are children, it said, citing the country’s government-run Public Health Emergency Operations Center.
No group has claimed responsibility for the rocket fire earlier towards Israel, which has blamed Hezbollah. Israeli defence chiefs say they hold the Lebanese government responsible for all hostile fire from its territory regardless of who launched it.
Essay Pro