Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned that the country will retaliate after three rockets were launched from Lebanon into northern Israel early Saturday morning and subsequently intercepted.
“We will not tolerate attacks on Galilee communities,” Katz said in a statement. “The Lebanese government bears full responsibility for any aggression from its territory. I have instructed the military to respond accordingly.”
Air raid sirens were heard around 7:30 a.m. (0530 GMT) in Metula, a town near Israel’s border with Lebanon.
According to the Israeli military, all three rockets that crossed into Israeli airspace were successfully intercepted.
“We have promised security to the residents of the Galilee, and we will deliver on that promise,” Katz added. “Metula’s fate will be no different from that of Beirut if these attacks continue.”
Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that Israeli fighter jets were seen flying over parts of southern Lebanon, and interceptor missiles exploded overhead.
The NNA also reported that Israeli ground forces opened fire with automatic weapons on the Hamames hills, while Israeli artillery targeted the southern Nabatieh district and the town of Khiam, which was struck by three shells reportedly fired from Merkava tanks.
Additionally, automatic gunfire from Israeli forces was directed toward the border villages of Hula, Markaba, and Kfar Kila.
REF: AFP
