Two rockets fired from Lebanon hit Israel, which responded to the artillery fire, the Reuters agency reported citing the Israeli army. The incident took place against the background of increased tensions in connection with the attack on an oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.
In a statement Wednesday, the Israeli military said three rockets had been fired from Lebanon. One did not reach the Israeli border and the others struck Israel. There are no reports of casualties or damage. The army said in a press release that attack warning systems had sounded in at least three municipalities near the Lebanon border.
Israeli TV channel 12 reported that one rocket had exploded in an open area and the other had been intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defense system. The third missile fell near the border. The military said they fired artillery shells in response.
Witnesses in Lebanon reported that several rockets were fired at the Jewish state.
There have been several similar incidents in recent months. The Israeli authorities believe that the shelling was carried out by Lebanon-based Palestinian groups, but not by radical Hezbollah fighters. The PA notes that it is unlikely that Palestinian groups will be able to operate without Hezbollah’s approval.
Burning Lebanese fields near the border with Israel Reuters
After the tanker attack
The Reuters Agency recalled that the incident on the Lebanese-Israeli border took place shortly after the attack on tanker Mercer Street off the coast of Oman. The unit sailed through the Arabian Sea. As a result of the attack, two crew members were killed, a British and a Romanian.
The owner of the London-based company Zodiac Maritime, the tanker shipowner, is Israeli billionaire Ejal Ofer. A high-ranking representative of the Israeli government suggested that the attack was carried out by Iranians using a drone. Iran has denied this.
Main photo source: Reuters