Image Credits: Reuters
Local media broadcast footage of the fire, showing thick clouds of smoke rising from the devastated area. Lebanese civil defense units were sent to the scene to stop the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby residential areas. There is no immediate information on the casualties, but the extent of the damage is still being assessed.
The Israeli bombing followed several attacks by Hezbollah against Israeli positions. Hezbollah, the powerful Shiite group based in Lebanon, said it carried out several attacks in response to the ongoing Israeli offensive.
Hezbollah said in a statement: “Our fighters targeted Israeli military positions on the border in retaliation for continued violations of Lebanese sovereignty. We hold the Israeli government fully responsible for the escalation.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the artillery strikes and said they were in response to Hezbollah attacks. An IDF spokesman said that their forces responded to provocations by Hezbollah and targeted specific locations from which the attacks were launched. They will continue to act decisively to protect our citizens and maintain security at our borders.
The exchange of fire comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Lebanon, with occasional flare-ups at the border. Both sides have frequently accused each of insulting the other and provocations in the region’s volatile and often dangerous situation for civilians invited the international community to intervene and escalate even more to hold him accountable for his actions”, said the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which guards the border region, called on both sides to exercise restraint. A UNIFIL spokesman said: “We are deeply concerned by the recent escalation and call on all parties to cease hostilities and respect the Blue Line to avoid further violence.”
The situation remains tense and residents of both southern Lebanon and northern Israel are on high alert.