Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Lebanon on Saturday in response to a rocket attack, killing six people in what marks the heaviest exchange of fire since the ceasefire with Hezbollah came into effect nearly four months ago.
The strikes have raised concerns over the fragility of the truce, coming just days after Israel intensified its military operations in Gaza against the Iran-backed militant group Hamas.
Hezbollah, also supported by Tehran, denied any involvement in the attack and reiterated its commitment to the ceasefire.
In a statement, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the army had been instructed to respond forcefully, targeting multiple locations in Lebanon, where Hezbollah maintains a stronghold.
The Israeli army confirmed that six rockets had been fired towards Metula, a northern border town, with three crossing into Israeli territory before being intercepted.
However, it added, “It cannot confirm the identity of the organisation that fired the rockets.”
In retaliation, Israel’s military struck Hezbollah command centres and several rocket launchers.
Among the hardest-hit locations was the southern Lebanese village of Touline, where an Israeli airstrike killed five people, including a child, and left ten others wounded, according to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency (NNA).
Later in the evening, an Israeli airstrike hit a garage in the coastal city of Tyre, killing one person and injuring seven others. This marks the first attack on Tyre since the ceasefire was established on 27 November.
Another strike on the village of Hawsh al-Sayed Ali, near the Syrian border, left five wounded.
In response to the escalation, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam urged the country’s military to take necessary measures in the south but maintained that Lebanon does not seek a return to war.
Hezbollah has been engaged in cross-border hostilities with Israel since 8 October, a day after Hamas’ assault from Gaza sparked a full-scale war.
The conflict escalated into an all-out confrontation last September, with Israel conducting extensive airstrikes that eliminated several senior Hezbollah leaders. Over 4,000 people in Lebanon have been killed, and approximately 60,000 Israelis have been displaced due to the fighting.
Under the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces were to withdraw from all Lebanese territory by late January, a deadline that was later extended to 18 February.
However, Israel has maintained its presence in five locations across the border, while continuing airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions. Lebanese officials have appealed to the United Nations to press Israel for a full withdrawal.
The UN Interim Force in Lebanon has expressed alarm at the latest violence and urged all parties to exercise restraint.
Israeli airstrikes intensify in Gaza
Meanwhile, the airstrikes in Lebanon coincided with an escalation in Gaza, where Israeli forces have vowed to intensify operations until Hamas releases the remaining 59 hostages, of whom 24 are believed to be alive.
Israeli airstrikes on Friday night killed at least nine people, including three children, in a house in Gaza City, according to Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the bodies.
“Rubble and glass started falling on us,” recounted Sameh al-Mashharawi, who lost his brother in the attack. His 12-year-old nephew, Samir al-Mashharawi, sat in a truck, his head and wrists bandaged, mourning the loss of his parents and siblings.
Israel’s military announced plans for fresh operations in three neighbourhoods west of Gaza City, issuing evacuation warnings on social media.
Also read: Lebanon fears 'new war' as Israel hits southern towns
“Hamas, unfortunately, understands military pressure,” Netanyahu’s foreign policy advisor Ophir Falk maintained.
Since resuming its offensive on Tuesday, Israel has killed approximately 600 Palestinians.
The renewed assault follows Israel’s decision to cut off food, fuel, and humanitarian aid to Gaza’s two million residents in a bid to pressure Hamas over ceasefire negotiations.
Political turmoil over Shin Bet chief’s dismissal
In Israel, the escalating conflict has been accompanied by growing domestic unrest. Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Saturday, protesting the government’s failure to secure a hostage deal and its controversial decision to dismiss Shin Bet security chief Ronen Bar.
The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked Bar’s dismissal, pending an appeal. Israel’s Attorney General has ruled that the government has no legal grounds to remove him.
Netanyahu, however, remains firm in his decision. “Bar will not remain the head of the Shin Bet,” he declared on Saturday, adding, “Israel will remain a democratic state.”
He insisted that his loss of confidence in Bar predates the Shin Bet’s investigation into alleged illicit ties between his aides and Qatar.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid, meanwhile, warned of severe consequences if Netanyahu defied the court ruling.
“If this happens, the entire country needs to grind to a halt,” he said, calling for a tax rebellion and a general strike.
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