Israel Attacks Hezbollah in Lebanon After Shots Fired at Troops Near Border
08-26-2020Emily Jones
AP video screenshot: Explosion in Houla, South Lebanon as the IDF attacks Hezbollah targets.
JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli warplanes struck Hezbollah targets near the border early Wednesday after shots where fired from Lebanon at Israeli Defense Force (IDF) troops late Tuesday.
The military called the shooting a “severe event” at Kibbutz Menara near the city of Kiryat Shemona in the Upper Galilee. No injuries were reported.
“In response to the gunfire, IDF attack helicopters and aircraft struck terror targets belonging to the Hezbollah terror group,” the IDF said.
These targets included Hezbollah observation posts near the Lebanese border.
There were no immediate reports of casualties in Lebanon.
The Israeli retaliation marks the first time Israel has bombed Hezbollah targets inside Lebanon since 2006 during the Second Lebanon War. However, the military has fired artillery and tank shells at Hezbollah in response to attacks near the border.
The IDF said it will continue to “maintain a high level of alertness and ensure the sovereignty of Israel and the security of residents as much as necessary.”
Meanwhile, Israel continues to face threats along its southern border with Gaza.
The military attacked Hamas targets in Gaza early Wednesday after terrorists sent dozens of incendiary balloons into Israel Tuesday, sparking fires.
The IDF said its warplanes targeted Hamas’ underground infrastructure in the coastal enclave.
Israel’s fire and rescue service said most of the fires were small and posed no threat to people.
Terrorists in Gaza have sent hundreds of incendiary balloons into Israel in recent weeks, prompting retaliatory attacks from Israel. Senior Hamas official Ismail Radwan told Palestinian media Monday that the violence will continue until the blockade on Gaza is lifted.
Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade on Gaza since Hamas took control in 2007. The blockade was implemented to prevent the import of weapons into Gaza. Israel frequently tightens the blockade in response to attacks.
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Hamas against escalating the violence and said Israel is prepared to fight.