Fire exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah regained intensity along the southern border on Monday afternoon, as Hamas declared that it fired rockets at Israel from Lebanese territory.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, said that it fired 16 rockets into Nahariya and southern Haifa in response to Israeli attacks in Gaza. Hezbollah also launched 30 rockets into northern Israel, drawing Israeli artillery fire.
Hezbollah said that its fighters targeted Israeli positions in Malikieh and Jall Al-Deir with rockets, scoring direct hits. It also reported the destruction of technical equipment at the Rahib.
Israeli media reported that air defense forces attempted to intercept two drones on the northern border with Lebanon. There were also reports of around 14 missiles and shells fired from Lebanon towards Israeli army positions along the border.
It was reported that the Iron Dome attempted to intercept missiles launched from Lebanon in the direction of the western Galilee region and northern Haifa.
This marked the first time since 2006 that Hezbollah has fired rockets on northern Haifa.
At the same time, alarm sirens sounded in Nahariya and Kiryat Shmona (south of Nahariya), according to Israeli media. As the bombing zone in northern Israel has expanded for the first time, this has raised concerns about a possible infiltration of drones from Lebanon into the western Galilee.
The Israeli army asked the inhabitants of the Upper Galilee to take refuge in shelters for fear of a security incident. The Iron Dome defense system was activated to intercept rockets fired from Lebanon towards western Galilee and northern Haifa.
Moreover, Israeli soldiers fired toward Lebanese army positions in Naqoura, while Israeli artillery targeted various locations in southern Lebanon, including Jabal Blat, the area between Beit Leif and Ramyah, and the outskirts of Marwahin.
Reports by the National News Agency said that Israeli artillery shelled the outskirts of Blida and Meiss El Jabal.
Earlier in the afternoon, Israeli reconnaissance aircrafts flew over the western and central sectors, further exacerbating tensions in border villages.
