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Hezbollah targeted the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona with Katyusha rockets, marking a significant development in the ongoing cross-border conflict between Israel and the Lebanese terror organization.
The attack follows a series of tit-for-tat exchanges that have intensified over recent days, leaving civilians on both sides of the border caught in the crossfire.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group, issued a statement attributing the rocket attack to Israel’s continued targeting of Lebanese villages and civilian homes.
The organization vowed to prevent harm to civilians, emphasizing its commitment to preserving Lebanese communities. However, the rocket assault on Kiryat Shmona has already inflicted damage on infrastructure, homes, a preschool, and cars.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had not issued an immediate statement regarding the rocket fire, but the situation unfolded against the backdrop of Israeli airstrikes inside Lebanon.
Late on Wednesday, Israeli warplanes targeted a forested area near the town of Bouslaya, more than 20 kilometres from the border.
The IDF stated that the strikes were aimed at a Hezbollah command centre in southern Lebanon in response to repeated attacks on the border.
Simultaneously, rockets were fired from Syria at the Golan Heights, triggering sirens in Mas’ade and Ein Quiniyye.
The IDF responded by shelling the source of the fire and targeting a Syrian Army position. Troops also engaged with terror operatives near the Lebanon border.
Earlier in the day, the IDF had conducted preemptive strikes against Hezbollah targets, including military sites and infrastructure. Tanks and artillery were deployed along the Lebanon border to counter potential threats.
Against a backdrop of rising hostilities, officials from the US and France, visiting the region, sought to prevent further escalation on the Lebanese front.
Israel has increasingly warned that if diplomatic measures do not push Hezbollah forces away from its border, it will take action.
The conflict has taken a toll on both sides, with four civilian deaths reported on the Israeli side and seven IDF soldiers killed.
On the Lebanese side, over 130 casualties have been recorded, including Hezbollah members, Palestinian terror operatives, a Lebanese soldier, and civilians, including journalists.
The recent upsurge in violence comes after Israel declared it would no longer tolerate Hezbollah’s presence along the northern frontier, citing the October 7 massacre initiated by Hamas.
Hezbollah-led forces have since launched near-daily attacks on Israeli communities and military posts along the border, claiming it supports Gaza amid the ongoing war.
While touring the north, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi declared that Israel would not return to the previous situation on the border.
He pledged to ensure a far safer condition for residents of border communities, indicating a commitment to reshaping the security dynamics in the region.
As tensions escalate and violence intensifies on the Israel-Lebanon border, the international community faces a critical challenge in preventing further bloodshed.
The coming days will be crucial in determining whether peace can be restored or if the cycle of violence will persist, impacting the lives of civilians on both sides of the border.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members