Israel has retaliated in Lebanon, killing six people, including a child, in the most intense firefight since a ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah nearly four months ago.
The rockets fired from Lebanon were the second in a series of launches since December, raising concerns about whether the ceasefire could be sustained. In a statement, Hezbollah denied involvement in the latest attack, saying it was adhering to the truce.
Israel said it would respond “harshly” to Saturday's attack on northern Israel.
The Israeli army said the intercepted rockets were aimed at the Israeli town of Metula. An Israeli official said six rockets were fired, three of which crossed into Israeli territory and were intercepted.
The official said Israel could not identify the group that launched the rockets, adding that the military had targeted targets in southern Lebanon.
Lebanon's state-run National News Agency said the strike in the southern village of Tulin killed five people, including a child, and wounded 10 others, including two children.
Israel again attacked Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Saturday evening, hitting a garage in the coastal city of Tyre, NNA reported, killing one person and wounding seven. It was the first strike on the city since the ceasefire was announced.
Five people were injured in the strike on the village of Khaush al-Said Ali on the border with Syria, according to the National Army.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said it had instructed the army to take decisive action against multiple targets in Lebanon, adding: “Israel will not allow its citizens and sovereignty to be harmed.”
The Israeli army confirmed that it had carried out strikes on dozens of rocket launchers and a command centre where Hezbollah operated.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called on the Lebanese armed forces to take all necessary action in the south, while stressing that the country does not seek a return to war.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
