Tension has been prevailing since Saturday morning on the southern front, after six rockets were fired towards Metula from southern Lebanon, three of which penetrated Israeli airspace and were intercepted, according to Israeli military sources. The Israeli air force launched on Saturday afternoon a wide aerial attack. The Israeli army claimed responsibility for strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, while the Israeli Ministry of Security announced that these attacks were in response to the bombing of Metula on Saturday morning.
An airstrike targeting the town of Tulin (Nabatiyeh) destroyed a house, killing two people, including a child, and wounding eight, including two children. Debris removal work is still ongoing, according to the Ministry of Health's Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC).
Meanwhile, the PHEOC issued a statement announcing that two citizens were injured in Kfar Kila as a result of the Israeli army's aggressive actions. They were hospitalized for treatment.
Israeli air raids targeted the Salhani area on the outskirts of the town of Beit Lif in the Bint Jbeil district, the valley on the outskirts of Tayr Harfa and the outskirts of the town of Ain Qana.
The Israeli army also carried out raids on Beslayya, Birkat al-Jabbour, the outskirts of Kfar Houneh, al-Rihan and al-Mahmoudiyeh, on the outskirts of Aaychiyeh in the Jezzine region.
A series of airstrikes hit the outskirts of Sejoud, the Jabal Safi and Jabal al-Rafi'a heights, the vicinity of Mlita, the outskirts of Ain Qana and Kfar Milki in the Iqlim al-Tuffah area. In addition, the Israeli army carried out a raid that coincided with the first raid, targeting Wadi Zebqin in the western sector.
The Israeli army’s radio reported, citing two security sources, “Our response to the shooting is not over yet and there will be more attacks within hours.”
As far as Hezbollah is concerned, the party issued the following statement: “Hezbollah denies any involvement in the firing of rockets from southern Lebanon into the occupied Palestinian territories, emphasizing that the Israeli enemy's claims are part of the pretexts for its continued attacks on Lebanon, which have not stopped since the ceasefire was announced. Hezbollah reaffirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and stands behind the Lebanese state in addressing this dangerous Zionist escalation against Lebanon.”
The UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti stated on Saturday that “UNIFIL remains alarmed by the possible escalation of violence following the detection of four projectiles launched at around 7:30 am from Lebanon into Israel in the vicinity of Metula and triggering immediate retaliation by the IDF”.
He urged “all parties to avoid jeopardizing the progress made, especially when civilian lives and the fragile stability observed in recent months are at risk. Any further escalation of this volatile situation could have serious consequences for the region”.
“The situation remains extremely fragile, and we encourage both sides to uphold their commitments. UNIFIL peacekeepers remain in all positions,” he concluded.
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