JERUSALEM, Israel – Israel’s military on Thursday launched rare airstrikes on Lebanon in response to three rockets that were fired from the country Wednesday afternoon.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it carried out strikes on the rocket launch site responsible for Wednesday’s attack, as well as an additional target that was previously used to attack Israel.
Wednesday and overnight, Israel also fired more than 100 artillery shells into Lebanon.
“Not only is rocket fire from Lebanon at Israeli civilians an act of terrorism, but it also is indicative of the Lebanese government’s lack of governance of terrorist organizations operating in Lebanon. The Lebanese government is responsible for all attacks from Lebanon,” the IDF said in a statement.
The rocket attack from Lebanon began just after 12 p.m. on Wednesday.
RAW FOOTAGE: 3 rockets were just fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel. 2 rockets landed in Israel, and 1 fell inside Lebanon.
In response, our artillery forces fired into Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/Sf3754RqRU
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 4, 2021
Two of the rockets landed in Israel and one fell inside Lebanon.
The attack set off sirens in Kfar Giladi, Kiryat Shmona, and Tel Hai, near Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, and sent thousands running to their bomb shelters. There were no reports of casualties, but four people were treated for anxiety attacks.
The rockets sparked fires in Israel’s northern hillside and firefighters continued to battle the blazes early Thursday morning.
Israel told Lebanon through UN peacekeepers that it will intensify its response if calm is not restored to the border, according to Israel’s Channel 12 news.
A Lebanese army official told AP the military had no comment pending investigations.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price condemned the rocket fire from Lebanon.
“Israel has the right to defend itself against such attacks,” he told reporters in Washington, adding that the US is engaged with partners “to de-escalate the situation.”
Israeli authorities believe the rocket fire Wednesday afternoon came from Palestinian groups located in Lebanon and not Hezbollah. However, these Palestinian groups would likely not be able to attack Israel without Hezbollah’s consent.
There have been similar incidents in recent months.
Several rockets were fired at Israel last month and during the 11-day war with Gaza in May. The military determined that the rockets were fired by a Palestinian group in Lebanon and were not from Hezbollah.
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