Israel strikes Hezbollah targets after rocket attack from Lebanon

New Delhi, Mar 22: Israel launched airstrikes on Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon after rockets were fired into Israeli territory for the first time since a ceasefire in November 2024, The Israeli military targeted multiple rocket launchers and a command centre, international media said. Lebanese officials said two people, including a child, were killed in the strikes, and several others were injured.

Lebanon’s prime minister warned that the country should not be dragged into a wider conflict. Meanwhile, local media says Hezbollah denied involvement in the rocket attack and said it remained committed to the ceasefire agreement.

The Lebanese army later found and dismantled three makeshift rocket launchers. The ceasefire has been fragile. Israel says these attacks are necessary to prevent the group from rearming. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue to occupy five positions in southern Lebanon, which Lebanon argues is a violation of the truce. Israel insists that its military presence is necessary because the Lebanese army has not fully deployed to those areas. Hezbollah’s involvement in the conflict began after Hamas attacks on Israel in October 2023. This led to intense Israeli airstrikes, killings of senior Hezbollah leaders, and a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. The conflict killed around 4,000 people in Lebanon and displaced over a million.