Israel strikes Lebanon after rocket attack, leaving 7 dead

Israel launched a series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon on March 23 night, killing seven people and injuring 40, including a child, in response to a rocket attack on the Israeli town of Metula.

The strikes, which targeted Hezbollah-linked sites, mark the most intense cross-border escalation since a ceasefire was brokered nearly four months ago.

Israeli airstrikes hit multiple locations in Lebanon, killing six people, including a child, and wounding seven, with major strikes in Touline and Tyre. While Israel claimed the targets were Hezbollah command centers and rocket launchers, Hezbollah denied involvement in the initial attack.

Earlier in the day, six rockets were fired toward Metula, three of which were intercepted by Israel’s defense system. However, the Israeli military said it could not confirm who launched the attack.

Despite this, Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, has urged restraint, calling on the Lebanese military to secure the southern border while emphasizing that the country seeks to avoid war.

The border tensions come as Israel resumes its military operations against Hamas in Gaza, raising concerns over renewed hostilities on multiple fronts. Meanwhile, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has warned that the situation remains fragile and has called for immediate de-escalation.