IDF strikes Hezbollah as rockets launched toward northern Israel

The IDF carried out targeted strikes on Hezbollah terrorist cells and infrastructure in southern Lebanon following multiple rocket attacks directed at northern Israel. On Sunday afternoon, Lebanon-based militants fired three rockets towards Rosh Pina and nearby areas, with two rockets intercepted and one landing in an open area, causing no injuries. In a swift response, the IDF struck the launch site. Subsequently, six rockets were launched toward Kiryat Shmona, resulting in property damage. The Fajr Forces, linked to the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Islamic Group in Lebanon, claimed responsibility for the Kiryat Shmona attack, while the Lebanese branch of Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for rockets fired toward Nahariya and Shlomi. Earlier in the day, projectiles were launched toward Malkia and Arab al-Aramshe in northern Israel.

The IDF also targeted a terrorist cell planning to launch projectiles near Mount Dov, destroying numerous weapons. Additional strikes were carried out against a terrorist cell attempting to launch anti-tank missiles from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks against Israeli forces, stating they discovered an Israeli infantry force and targeted it. Hezbollah also claimed to have downed an Israeli drone with a surface-to-air missile over northern Israel. Unfortunately, a member of Hezbollah was killed during the clashes along the Lebanese-Israeli border.

In a separate incident, two mortar shells hit a UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) base near Houla, wounding one peacekeeper. Another UNIFIL base in Naqoura was also targeted. UNIFIL condemned these attacks, emphasizing that attacking UN peacekeepers is a violation of international law and must be condemned. Investigations into both incidents have been initiated.

Additionally, in the southern front near the Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, IDF soldiers engaged with Palestinian terrorists who emerged from a tunnel. Israeli forces neutralized several terrorists and injured others during the clashes. Similar skirmishes occurred in various locations across the Gaza Strip simultaneously, as part of ongoing IDF operations within the region.