Israel Vows to Respond 'Severely' to Attack from Lebanon After Intensified Gaza Operations

Beirut: Israeli army said it would respond “severely” to an attack from Lebanon after rockets were fired into northern Israel, Metula on Saturday, a day after it vowed to intensify operations in Gaza.

Israel's military said that it intercepting rockets aimed at the northern town of Metula, marking the second rocket attack from Lebanon since December. This attack raises concerns about the stability of the fragile ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Hezbollah Launches Attack on Israel

Hezbollah began launching rockets, drones, and missiles into Israel the day after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack from Gaza, sparking a wider conflict. By September, the Israel-Hezbollah confrontation had escalated into full-scale war, with Israel conducting heavy airstrikes and eliminating many of Hezbollah’s senior leaders. The fighting has resulted in more than 4,000 deaths in Lebanon and displaced around 60,000 Israelis.

Under a ceasefire brokered in November, Israel was expected to withdraw from all Lebanese territory by late January. However, this deadline was extended to February 18 following an agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

Also Read: Israeli Forces Destroy Gaza’s Only Cancer Hospital in Air Strike

Despite the agreement, Israel has remained in five strategic locations across Lebanon, opposite northern Israeli communities. Israel has also conducted numerous airstrikes in southern and eastern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions. Lebanon has called on the UN to exert pressure on Israel to fully withdraw from the country.

On Saturday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stressed the country's commitment to securing northern communities, stating, “We promised security to the Galilee communities and that is exactly what will happen,” signaling that Israel would not tolerate further attacks from Lebanon.

Nawaf Salam Vows to Protect Lebanon

Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, instructed the Lebanese military to take all necessary measures to protect the country’s southern border. However, he emphasized that Lebanon did not wish to return to war.

The rocket strikes on Israel come a day after Israel announced plans to ramp up its operations in Gaza with increasing intensity. The country has made it clear that military actions will continue until Hamas releases the 59 hostages it holds, 24 of whom are believed to still be alive.

On Friday, Israel's military outlined its plans for fresh assaults targeting three neighborhoods to the west of Gaza City. The military also issued evacuation warnings via social media, urging Palestinians to leave the areas ahead of the planned attacks.

In another development on Friday, Israeli forces destroyed the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the only specialized cancer facility in Gaza. The Israeli military justified the strike by alleging that Hamas militants were operating from the hospital. However, Turkey, which had helped build and fund the hospital, countered by claiming that Israeli troops had at one point used the facility as a base.

Around 600 Palestinians have been killed since Israel relaunched the war earlier this week. Israel had already cut off the supply of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid to Gaza's roughly 2 million Palestinians, aiming to pressure Hamas over ceasefire negotiations.

(with AP inputs)