BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, Mar 23 (NNN-XINHUA) – At least six people were killed and 28 others injured, in fresh Israeli airstrikes targeting eastern and southern Lebanon last night, according to Lebanon’s health authorities.
In southern Lebanon, the Israeli airstrikes targeted the city of Tyre, as well as, several valleys and villages, killing six people and injuring 22, said Lebanon’s Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, adding, the attacks in eastern Lebanon injured six.
Meanwhile, a Lebanese security source said that, Israel has carried out 15 airstrikes last night.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said, the Israeli Air Force launched a second wave of strikes against what it claimed Hezbollah command centres, infrastructure sites, militants, rocket launchers, and a weapons storage facility across Lebanon.
It said, it will “continue to strike as required to protect Israeli civilians.”
Shortly before, a statement from the Israeli Defence Minister’s Office said, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister, Israel Katz, had instructed the IDF to launch a second wave of strikes against dozens of “Hezbollah targets” in Lebanon, in response to the rockets fired into northern Israel yesterday morning.
“The Lebanese government is responsible for everything that happens on its territory,” the statement said. “Israel will not allow any harm to its citizens and sovereignty, and will act in every way to ensure the security of Israeli citizens and northern communities.”
Earlier yesterrday, the Israeli military said, it intercepted rockets launched from Lebanon towards the northern Israeli town of Metula. No casualties were reported in Israel, according to the regime’s emergency services.
The first wave of Israeli attacks came yesterday afternoon, hitting areas near the villages of Touline, Kfar Melki, Mleeta, and the Wadi al-Hujeir valley, in southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s state-owned National News Agency (NNA) reported, adding that, a residential building in Touline was destroyed, leaving one dead and three wounded.
In a statement issued after the strikes, the Israeli military said, it struck Hezbollah’s infrastructure in Lebanon.
As part of diplomatic efforts to curb the ongoing escalation, Lebanese Foreign Minister, Youssef Rajji held talks with several regional foreign ministers and officials, according to the NNA.
Rajji called for pressure on Israel to halt its offensive, de-escalate the situation, and contain the growing crisis along the southern border.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) voiced alarm over the violence.
“We strongly urge all parties to refrain from actions that could jeopardise the fragile stability,” UNIFIL’s spokesperson, Andrea Tenenti said that, further escalation could have “severe consequences.” UNIFIL said peacekeepers were maintaining patrols to de-escalate tensions.
The exchange occurred amid lingering friction over a U.S.- and French-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which took effect on Nov 27, last year, halting over a year of hostilities linked to the Gaza conflict.
The truce stipulated an Israeli withdrawal from disputed Lebanese territory, but Israeli forces continue to occupy five border posts, well past a Feb 18 deadline.– NNN-XINHUA