Southern Lebanon… Tel Aviv Responds Militarily to Rocket Fire

Security conditions along the Lebanese-Israeli border deteriorated on Saturday following an exchange of fire between both sides. Israel announced a military escalation in response to rockets launched toward its territory, while the Lebanese government reaffirmed its rejection of any actions that threaten regional stability.

The Israeli army reported that it successfully intercepted three out of five rockets fired from Lebanese territory toward the border town of Metula, marking the first such incident in over three months. The other two rockets fell within Lebanon without causing casualties, according to The Times of Israel. In retaliation, Israeli artillery targeted positions in southern Lebanon.

The shelling expanded, with Israeli artillery striking the towns of Houla, Markaba, and Yuhmur al-Shaqif. This was followed by Israeli airstrikes targeting several southern regions, including Toul, Beit Lif, and Iqlim al-Tuffah, resulting in one fatality and three injuries in Toul.

Israeli warplanes also bombed Mount Safi, the outskirts of Kafr Houna, Jabal al-Rafi, and areas near the towns of Sijud, Ain Qana, and Bsaliya in Jezzine, as well as Barakat al-Jabour in Kafr Jouna.

Lebanese media reported that ten Israeli shells landed in the areas of Yuhmur al-Shaqif, Arnoun, and Kfar Tibnit. Meanwhile, sirens sounded at UN peacekeeping (UNIFIL) sites in Deir Seryan and Adchit. Israeli forces stationed at Tell al-Hamames fired towards Markaba and Houla amid intense aerial reconnaissance over the eastern sector.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had ordered airstrikes on dozens of targets inside Lebanon, holding the Lebanese government responsible for any military operations originating from its territory. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that "any attack on Metula will be met with an attack on Beirut."

In response, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam cautioned against the risks of escalating military operations on the southern border, warning of potential consequences for national stability. During a call with Lebanese Defense Minister General Michel Mansi, he stressed the need for clear security measures to ensure that the state retains control over decisions of war and peace.

Salam also held discussions with UN Secretary-General’s personal representative in Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, emphasizing the importance of intensifying international efforts to pressure Israel into withdrawing its military presence from certain Lebanese areas, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the commitments made by the previous Lebanese government.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concerns over the possibility of further escalation, warning that continued military operations could have severe consequences for regional stability. In an official statement, UNIFIL urged all parties to exercise restraint to preserve the calm achieved in recent months.

Despite the ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S. on November 27, the Israeli military continues to launch airstrikes on various areas in southern and eastern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah-affiliated sites. In this context, the Israeli army announced that it had carried out an airstrike on an underground military facility in the Bekaa Valley, along with missile launch sites in southern Lebanon.

Lebanese media confirmed that multiple airstrikes hit areas in Baalbek, the towns of Janta and Taraya, as well as Jbaa in the south, amid growing military tensions between the two sides.

Although the deadline for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon expired on February 18 under the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces still control five strategic positions along the border, allowing them to monitor movements in nearby Lebanese areas, according to media reports.

U.S. Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East, Morgan Ortagus, stated that Washington is working through three diplomatic groups to resolve outstanding issues between Lebanon and Israel, including the Israeli withdrawal from the five remaining positions.

As tensions continue to rise, the United Nations remains engaged in diplomatic efforts to contain the situation, amid warnings of its humanitarian impact. According to UN reports, over 92,000 people remain internally displaced in Lebanon due to extensive damage in southern and eastern regions.