Tuesday, February 27, 2024

'Significant Escalation Of Violence In Northern Border'


Hezbollah fires dozens of rockets at north in fresh barrages after Baalbek strike


Dozens of rockets were fired at a Galilee military site Tuesday morning, sparking IDF reprisal airstrikes across southern Lebanon. Hours later another large barrage targeted the Western Galilee as Hezbollah continued to fire volleys in response to strikes deep inside Lebanon a day earlier.

The latest exchanges between Israel and the Iran-backed terror group marked a significant escalation of violence in the already restive northern border region, uncorking fresh war fears after months of steadily rising tensions that have largely been kept in check.

The Israel Defense Forces said some 35 rockets were fired in the morning attack, triggering sirens in the communities of Zivon, Sassa, Safsufa, and Dovev, areas close to Mount Meron.

The IDF said there had been no damage to a sensitive air traffic control base atop the mountain, which is located some eight kilometers (5 miles) from the Lebanon border.

Footage circulated on social media appeared to show several of the rockets being intercepted by the Iron Dome air defense system, while others appeared to strike the mountainside.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the barrage, saying it targeted the Mount Meron base in response to Israeli airstrikes on Monday near northeast Lebanon’s Baalbek — the deepest confirmed attacks in years — that killed two members of the terror group.

The Mount Meron air traffic control base has been targeted by Hezbollah several times amid the ongoing war, with slight damage caused in one of the attacks.

The IDF later said it carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon in response to the rocket barrage, including a Hezbollah compound and other infrastructure belonging to the terror group in Jibchit, Mansouri, and other villages in south Lebanon.

Troops also shelled an area near Yaroun with artillery to “remove a threat.”

Lebanese media reported the Israeli strikes hit the village of Baisariyeh, some 30 kilometers from the Israeli border.

Footage posted to social media showed smoke rising from the targeted sites.












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