Israeli army launches airstrikes in Lebanon after intercepting rocket fire

ISTANBUL

The Israeli army launched a wave of airstrikes across Lebanon early Monday after intercepting a rocket fired from Lebanese territory, saying additional projectiles fell in open areas without causing injuries or damage.

It also warned residents of 53 villages in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley to evacuate and stay 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) away ahead of planned attacks.

Israeli media earlier reported that the Lebanese Hezbollah group launched rockets toward northern Israel, describing it as the first such attack since a ceasefire agreement. Channel 12 said around six rockets were fired in the barrage.

Hezbollah later claimed responsibility for launching rockets and drones from southern Lebanon toward northern Israel, saying the attack targeted an Israeli missile defense site near Haifa.

In response, the Israeli army began a wave of airstrikes in Lebanon, Channel 12 reported, citing the military as saying that the strikes were carried out “in response to rocket fire toward northern Israel.”

The army said in a statement that it targeted “senior Hezbollah members” in Beirut and a “key operative” in southern Lebanon.

An Anadolu correspondent reported that a heavy Israeli airstrike struck the town of Srifa in southern Lebanon while two additional strikes hit the Al-Salihiya neighborhood in Nabatieh, causing massive destruction and fires in buildings and vehicles.

Israeli airstrikes also targeted the outskirts of Al-Shahabiya and Deir Qanoun al-Nahr in southern Lebanon, according to the correspondent.

Earlier, an Israeli airstrike targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs, causing extensive damage, witnesses said.

The correspondent also reported displacement from Beirut’s southern suburbs and parts of southern Lebanon toward central Beirut and Mount Lebanon following a series of heavy airstrikes.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Monday that rocket launches from southern Lebanon were an “irresponsible and suspicious act” that endanger the country’s security and provide Israel with pretexts to continue its attacks.

Salam said that whoever was behind the launches, they threaten Lebanon’s safety and stability, stressing that Lebanon “will not allow the country to be dragged into new adventures.”

He added that authorities would take all necessary measures to identify those responsible and protect the Lebanese people.