Northern Israel faced a barrage of at least 60 rockets launched from southern Lebanon late Thursday, escalating tensions in the region. This attack followed the assassination of Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah commander, by Israel earlier this week in Beirut.
The Israeli public broadcaster, KAN, reported that the rockets were aimed at the Western Galilee, with 15 intercepted by defense systems. The Israeli army stated that five projectiles crossed into Israel, some intercepted while others landed in open areas, causing no injuries.
Hezbollah has not issued a statement regarding the rocket fire. Israel’s Army Radio also confirmed the launches towards the Western Galilee.
The assassination of Shukr, accused by Israel of orchestrating a missile attack in Majdal Shams that killed 12 people, resulted in at least seven deaths, including two children, in Beirut. Hezbollah denied responsibility for the Majdal Shams attack.
The situation further intensified with the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, an act attributed to Israel, although Tel Aviv has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah promised a “real response” to Shukr’s killing, indicating plans for a calculated retaliation.
The escalation has heightened fears of a broader conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, amid ongoing cross-border fire and an Israeli offensive in Gaza that has resulted in nearly 39,500 deaths since last October following a Hamas attack.