Middle East Crisis> Hezbollah Again Fires Rockets Into Northern Israel as Border Clashes Intensify
Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel on Tuesday, as border clashes between Israel and Lebanon intensified.
The Israeli military said that the rockets were fired from southern Lebanon and landed in open areas.
The Israeli military responded with artillery fire into southern Lebanon.
The clashes come after a week of escalating tensions along the border, with both sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday that Israel would respond forcefully to any attacks from Hezbollah.
“We will not tolerate any attacks on our territory and we will respond forcefully to any aggression,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, has been accused by Israel of trying to build a precision-guided missile capability that could threaten Israeli cities.
The latest clashes come as the United States and Israel are trying to build a coalition to counter Iran’s influence in the region.
The United States has imposed sanctions on Hezbollah and designated it as a terrorist organization.
Israel has also been carrying out airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria, where Iran is supporting the government of President Bashar al-Assad.
The Israeli military said that it was investigating the rocket attacks and would take appropriate action to defend its borders.
“We are investigating the incident and will take the necessary measures to defend our borders and protect our citizens,” the military said in a statement.
The Lebanese army said that it was investigating the clashes and called on both sides to exercise restraint.
“The Lebanese army is investigating the incident and calls on both sides to exercise restraint and avoid any escalation,” the army said in a statement.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said that it was monitoring the situation and was in contact with both sides.
“UNIFIL is closely monitoring the situation and is in contact with both parties to ensure the maintenance of calm and the implementation of Resolution 1701,” UNIFIL said in a statement.