Israel Launches Air Strikes on Lebanon after Ceasefire Rockets

JAKARTA - The Israeli military launched a wave of airstrikes on various areas of Lebanon on Monday (2/3) morning after intercepting rockets fired from Lebanese territory.

The Israeli military said another projectile fell in an open area without causing casualties or damage.

The Israeli military also warned residents of 53 villages in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley to evacuate and keep a distance of one kilometer ahead of the planned attack.

Israeli media previously reported that the Lebanese Hezbollah group launched rockets towards northern Israel, which was described as the first attack since the ceasefire agreement. Channel 12 reported that about six rockets were fired in the attack.

Hizbullah later claimed responsibility for launching rockets and drones from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel. The group said the attacks targeted Israeli missile defense sites near Haifa.

In response, the Israeli military launched a wave of airstrikes in Lebanon, Channel 12 reported, citing the military as saying the attacks were carried out "in response to rocket fire towards northern Israel."

Israel's military said it targeted "senior members of Hezbollah" in Beirut and a "key operator" in southern Lebanon.

Anadolu correspondents reported that a large-scale Israeli air raid hit the city of Srifa in southern Lebanon, while two additional attacks hit the Al-Salihiya neighborhood in Nabatieh, causing major damage and fires in buildings and vehicles.

Israeli airstrikes also targeted the outskirts of Al-Shahabiya and Deir Qanoun al-Nahr in southern Lebanon, according to the correspondent.

Earlier, Israeli airstrikes targeted the southern outskirts of Beirut and caused extensive damage, witnesses said.

The correspondent also reported evacuations from the southern outskirts of Beirut and a number of areas in southern Lebanon to central Beirut and Mount Lebanon after a series of major air raids.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the rocket launch from southern Lebanon was an "irresponsible and suspicious act" that endangered the country's security and gave Israel an excuse to continue the attack.

Salam said whoever was behind the launch had threatened Lebanon's safety and stability, stressing that Lebanon "will not allow this country to be dragged into a new adventure."

He added that the authorities would take all necessary steps to identify those responsible and protect the Lebanese people.