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KIRYAT SHMONA, ISRAEL – Two rockets were fired from Lebanon toward Israeli territory early Friday morning, triggering air raid sirens across Kiryat Shmona and nearby communities, including Margaliot, Tel Hai, and Misgav Am.
The attack, which occurred at approximately 7:50 a.m. local time, prompted a swift response from Israel’s air defense systems.
According to the Israeli military, one of the incoming projectiles was successfully intercepted, while the second landed within Lebanese territory. There were no reported injuries or damage, and emergency response teams were on high alert in case of further escalation.
Israel’s emergency medical service, Magen David Adom (MDA), confirmed that it had not received any reports of casualties.
However, the attack has intensified tensions along the volatile Israel-Lebanon border, where clashes between the Israeli military and Hezbollah militants have become increasingly frequent since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023.
Israeli Officials Blame Lebanon, Warn of Retaliation
Following the attack, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, holding the Lebanese government responsible for any aggression emanating from its territory.
“If there is no quiet in Kiryat Shmona and the Galilee communities, there will be no quiet in Beirut either,” Katz stated.
He emphasized Israel’s commitment to maintaining security in the north, vowing that the government would not tolerate a repeat of the October 7 attack, when Hamas militants launched a large-scale assault on Israeli communities near the Gaza border.
“We will ensure the security of the residents of the Galilee and respond forcefully to any threat,” Katz added, hinting at potential military action against targets in Lebanon.
Ongoing Border Tensions
While no group immediately claimed responsibility for Friday’s rocket attack, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group based in Lebanon, has been involved in repeated cross-border skirmishes with Israeli forces in recent months.
Since October 2023, Hezbollah has launched hundreds of rockets and drones into northern Israel, while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have carried out retaliatory airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.
The cross-border attacks have forced thousands of Israeli residents in northern towns to evacuate, with many unable to return due to continued hostilities.
Israel has repeatedly warned that it could launch a full-scale military operation in Lebanon if Hezbollah’s aggression persists.
International Concerns Over Escalation
The renewed rocket fire comes amid diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.
The United States and France have been mediating talks to prevent a broader regional conflict that could further destabilize Lebanon, which is already grappling with economic and political turmoil.
Despite these efforts, both Israel and Hezbollah have continued their military posturing. Israeli officials have warned that an all-out war in Lebanon remains a possibility if Hezbollah does not halt its attacks.
As tensions along the border remain high, residents of northern Israel remain on edge, bracing for the possibility of further hostilities. The latest incident underscores the fragility of the situation and the risk of a broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in the near future.