Israeli aircraft bombed several Hezbollah observation posts along Israel’s northern border early Wednesday after shots were fired from Lebanon toward Israel Defense Force soldiers, the army said.
The bombing appeared to be the first Israeli airstrike on Hezbollah targets inside Lebanon since 2006, amid escalating tensions along the restive frontier.
The announcement from the IDF came several hours after it reported a “security incident” along the Lebanese border on Tuesday night and ordered residents of surrounding area to shelter in their homes.
Residents were told following the reprisal raid Wednesday morning that they could leave their homes and resume routine activities as authorities lifted security restrictions.
“Regarding the security incident that took place last night at 10:40 p.m. in the area of [the Manara community], during operational activity, IDF troops were fired upon from Lebanese territory,” the army said in a statement.
No injuries were reported to IDF soldiers, and there were no immediate reports of casualties in Lebanon. There was no immediate reaction from Hezbollah.
“In response to the gunfire, IDF attack helicopters and aircraft struck terror targets belonging to the Hezbollah terror group,” the IDF said, adding that among the targets were Hezbollah observation posts along the border.
Though this appeared to be the first time that Israeli aircraft directly targeted Hezbollah sites inside Lebanon since the 2006 Second Lebanon War, the IDF has fired artillery and tank shells at the terror group’s positions in the interim 14 years in response to attacks on the border. These were typically done in the immediate aftermath of a Hezbollah attack to prevent potential additional operations rather than punitive measures.
The IDF said it saw the government of Lebanon as being “responsible for what is done in its territory.”
“We see this as a very severe event. The IDF will continue to maintain a high level of alertness and ensure the sovereignty of Israel and the security of residents as much as necessary,” the military said.
Israeli leaders threatened a forceful retaliation Wednesday to any further attacks along the Lebanese border after the military said the Hezbollah terror group fired shots at Israeli troops operating along the frontier the night before.
No soldiers were injured in the attack. The Israel Defense Forces retaliated with airstrikes on Hezbollah observation posts along the border — the first such bombings since the 2006 Second Lebanon War.
“We will not allow [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah to harm our soldiers or our country. We will respond forcefully to any incidents on our border,” Defense Minister Benny Gantz said, speaking to new recruits at the military’s induction center.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu similarly threatened harsh retaliation against further attacks by Hezbollah.
“Israel views the gunfire against our troops by Hezbollah with great severity. We will not tolerate any aggression against our citizens and will respond powerfully to any attack against us,” Netanyahu said.
“I recommend to Hezbollah not to test the strike force of Israel. Hezbollah is again putting Lebanon at risk because of its aggressiveness,” he said.
As of Wednesday morning, Hezbollah had yet to comment on its alleged sniper attack or the IDF’s retaliation to it. Israel lifted security restrictions following its reprisal and told area residents asked to remain indoors overnight that they were free to return to normal activity, indicating the army sees the immediate threat as having passed.
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