Three Rockets Fired From Lebanon, Israel Responds With Tanks And Artillery

Illustration of Israeli military firing artillery. (Wikimedia Commons/Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Three rockets were fired from Lebanon towards Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel on Wednesday afternoon local time, setting off rocket sirens at Kiryat Shmona, Kfar Giladi and Tel Hai, according to the IDF (Israeli military) Spokesperson Unit.

Citing The Jerusalem Post Wednesday, August 4, the IDF said two rockets fell near Kiryat Shmona and one fell on Lebanese territory. The IDF responded to the rockets with tank fire at the location where the rockets were fired.

"Later in the afternoon, the IDF launched a second round of artillery fire along the border with Lebanon," said the IDF Spokesperson's Unit. No specific instructions have been issued to residents of northern Israel. Mayor Kiryat Shmona ordered the shelter to be opened.

Separately, Lebanon's New National Agency said one in three rockets fired from Lebanon fell inside Lebanese territory. Meanwhile, Hezbollah-affiliated reporter Ali Shoaib said around six artillery shells were fired by the IDF into an open area in Lebanon located north of Metula.

There were no Israeli casualties as a result of this rocket attack, Kan state radio was quoted as saying by TASS. Kan said that currently Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Benny Gantz were conducting consultations on security issues in the Knesset. In addition, Kan also mentioned that the Iron Dome air defense system was not used to intercept missiles.

In response to this rocket attack, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz conducted a situation analysis with IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi, Head of the Political-Military Bureau of the Ministry of Defense Zohar Palti, Head of IDF Operations Directorate Oded Besiok and IDF Intelligence Chief Major General. Tamir Heiman. Gantz ordered that a firm message be sent to UNIFIL regarding the firing of this rocket.

To note, several rockets have been fired at Israel in recent months. Three weeks ago two rockets were fired at Israel, triggering incoming rocket sirens in communities along the border including Rosh Hanikra, Shlomi, Kabri and Hanita.

One rocket was intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system and the other hit an open field. No injury or damage. The IDF said there were no specific instructions for residents. The military said it responded with tank shells towards the Wadi Hamoul valley from where rockets had been fired. Gantz said at the time that Lebanon was responsible for the rocket fire.

RAW FOOTAGE: 3 rockets were just fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel. 2 rockets landed in Israel, and 1 fell inside Lebanon. In response, our artillery forces fired into Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/Sf3754RqRU

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) August 4, 2021