Rockets fired at Israel from Lebanon amid rising tensions

Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel would retaliate forcefully if attacks continued, stating, “If Kiryat Shmona and Galilee are not quiet, Beirut will not be quiet either.”

By JNS

For the third time since the ceasefire with Beirut took effect on Nov. 27, terrorists in Lebanon fire rockets into northern Israel, with air raid sirens sounding in Kiryat Shmona and surrounding areas on Thursday morning.

The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that two rockets were fired; one was intercepted while the other struck short inside Lebanon. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The incident follows a similar rocket barrage six days ago targeting Metula.

Lebanese media reported Israeli artillery fire in response, with some schools in Southern Lebanon suspending activities due to the strikes, amid claims eight Lebanese were killed, Reuters reported.

No peace in Beirut if Israel attacked

Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel would retaliate forcefully if attacks continued, stating, “If Kiryat Shmona and Galilee are not quiet, Beirut will not be quiet either.”

He emphasized that the Lebanese government bears responsibility for any attacks emanating from its territory and vowed that Israel would not allow a return to the security situation of Oct. 7, 2023.

Asaf Langleben, head of the Upper Galilee Regional Council, condemned the attacks from Lebanon, stressing that the security challenge remains significant as residents return to the region.

“We will not accept sporadic rocket fire in any form. The second attack in less than a week is proof the threat is still here,” he said, calling on the Israeli government to immediately complete its northern defense infrastructure and to implement plans to strengthen the local economy and settlement efforts.

Despite the attack, local authorities announced that daily activities, including a planned farmers market and Agur Race, would proceed on Friday as scheduled.

Last Saturday, the IDF intercepted three rockets fired from Lebanon out of at least six launched, marking the first such incident in over three months.

In retaliation, the military struck Hezbollah command centers and launch sites in southern Lebanon. The escalation led to concerns in Washington, with U.S. officials urging Israel to refrain from striking targets in Beirut in response to the attack on Metula.

Hezbollah denied responsibility for the rocket fired on Saturday, saying it had “no link” to the launches and remained committed to the ceasefire.

While the situation along the Israel-Lebanon border remains tense, the Israeli government has not announced any immediate operational changes, and defense officials continue to monitor developments.