Kiryat Shmona, Israel — In a tragic escalation of violence, approximately 40 rockets were launched from Lebanon towards Upper Galilee and Haifa Bay on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of two residents in Kiryat Shmona.
The Israeli emergency medical services, Magen David Adom (MDA), confirmed the fatalities, identifying the victims as a man and a woman.
The barrage of rockets prompted immediate responses from the Israel Air Force, which successfully intercepted several projectiles.
However, numerous rockets still struck the area, causing significant damage and panic among the local population. Fortunately, some rockets landed in open fields, mitigating further casualties.
MDA reported that three individuals sustained injuries due to shrapnel from the attacks. Among the wounded is a 16-year-old, who is currently in moderate condition, while another individual, approximately 50 years old, has been treated for light injuries.
All three victims were promptly attended to by MDA paramedics in the Haifa Bay region. The latest assault is part of a broader trend of increased hostilities attributed to Hezbollah, with Kiryat Shmona experiencing extensive damage from the militant group’s attacks over the past 11 months.
In response to Wednesday’s incidents, five firefighting crews from the Galilee and Golan regions were deployed to combat the fires ignited by the rocket strikes.
Local authorities continue to assess the damage in the area, which has seen hundreds of homes affected in recent months.
Residents expressed their shock and fear as sirens blared throughout the town, alerting them to the imminent threat.
“We were just going about our day, and suddenly the alarms went off. It was chaos,” recounted a local shop owner. “We never know when it will happen next. It feels like we are living in a constant state of anxiety.”
The Israeli military emphasized its commitment to protecting its citizens, reaffirming that any attacks on its territory will be met with a decisive response. “We are prepared for all scenarios and will continue to defend our homeland against any threat,” a military spokesperson stated.
This recent attack marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict along the Israel-Lebanon border, highlighting the fragile security situation in the region. As tensions mount, calls for diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation are growing louder among international observers.
Meanwhile, local officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and to heed safety protocols in the event of future attacks. They have also emphasized the importance of community support in coping with the psychological toll of such incidents.
As Kiryat Shmona grapples with the aftermath of the attacks, the community is coming together to support the affected families and assist those in need. The emotional scars of Wednesday’s events will linger, reminding residents of the persistent threat posed by ongoing hostilities in the region.