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Israel Believes Hezbollah Not Seeking Escalation After 19 Rockets Fired at North
Monday 9 August 2021, by
Israel Believes Hezbollah Not Seeking Escalation After 19 Rockets Fired at North
IDF striking sites in southern Lebanon ■ 19 rockets launched at Israel ■ Bennett, Gantz to convene security cabinet meeting
Photo: Smoke rises after an IDF strike in south Lebanon, earlier today Credit: Jack Khoury
by Adi Hashmonai,Yaniv Kubovich, Jack Khoury
Aug. 6, 2021 11:00 AM
Updated: Aug. 6, 2021 1:40 PM
Hezbollah took responsibility for launching 19 rockets from southern Lebanon into Israel.
In response to the attack, the IDF struck sites with artillery fire in southern Lebanon.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with defense officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi regarding the escalation.
According to the IDF Spokesperson, 19 rockets were fired from south Lebanon at the Golan Heights before 11 A.M. Three fell within Lebanon and 16 were fired at Israel, directed at open fields. Ten were intercepted by the Iron Dome. There were no casualties reported.
Video of the Iron Dome intercepting rockets fired from LebanonCredit: Jack Khoury
The IDF says Hezbollah deliberately fired at open areas in the Golan Heights. As Lebanon is amid an internal economic crisis, Hezbollah appears to be justifying its existence by attacking Israel, the IDF says. However, the IDF announced that both sides are not interested in an escalation, but that Hezbollah might be trying to copy the situation at the Gaza border, in which rockets fired at open areas won’t be punished as harshly as those fired at populated areas.
The IDF added that Kochavi will assess the situation with the Defense Ministry and examine if it’s right to respond to this incident in means other than artillery fire.
The Iron Dome defense system intercepted most of the launches, according to the IDF. Two rockets landed in open areas in the Israeli towns Ein Qiniyye and Neve Ativ, according to reports.
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In a viral video being shared on social media, Druze locals in Lebanon’s Sheba locale appear to be blocking a delivery of Hezbollah rockets from entering the area, arguing between themselves whether to block the shipment or not.
UNIFIL, the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon, also confirmed the rocket attack, saying “This is a very serious situation, and we urge all parties to cease fire.” The Lebanese army has allegedly arrested the individuals responsible for launching the rockets.
Video allegedly showing Druze residents of south Lebanon stopping rockets entering civilian area Credit: Jack Khoury
Rocket sirens sounded just before 11 A.M. on Friday morning in communities in northern Israel, namely in the northern Galilee and the Golan Heights.
Magen David Adom says there are no injuries reported, and the IDF says the details are under examination. Residents of the Golan Heights and the northern Galilee were instructed to remain inside bomb shelters.
On Wednesday, the Israeli Air Force struck Lebanon, the Israeli military said, after a day of tit-for-tat attacks between Israel and militants operating from southern Lebanon.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Lebanon bears sole responsibility for the rocket launch. “Lebanon allows terror activity to take place from its territory. The State of Israel will act against every threat to its sovereignty and citizens, and will respond according to its interests in the relevant time and place.”
“We won’t allow Lebanon’s social, economic and political crisis to turn into a security threat against Israel. I call on the international community to act for Lebanon’s’ stabilization,”Gantz added.
Earlier Wednesday, three rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel; two landed in open fields in the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona.
