Lebanon’s state news agency reported a spate of Israeli airstrikes and artillery barrages in the country’s south, including border towns and hilltops around 8km inside Lebanese territory.
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Two people were killed and eight wounded by Israeli airstrikes in the south near the border, the state news agency NNA said, quoting Lebanon’s health ministry.
There were no reports of casualties in Israel.
In Gaza, health authorities said five Palestinians had been killed by Israeli fire, including a child, in incidents in Beit Lahiya and Gaza City. Israel’s military said it was looking into the report.
Under the November ceasefire deal, Hezbollah was to have no weapons in southern Lebanon, Israeli ground troops were to withdraw and Lebanese army troops were to deploy into the area.
The agreement specifies that Lebanon’s government is responsible for dismantling all military infrastructure in southern Lebanon and confiscating all unauthorised arms.
President Joseph Aoun ordered the Lebanese army to secure “any violation” that could threaten stability in Lebanon. The army said it had found and dismantled three “primitive rocket launchers” in the south.
Netanyahu said Israel was holding Lebanon’s government responsible for “everything taking place within its territory. Israel will not allow any harm to its citizens and its sovereignty – and will do everything in its power to ensure the safety of the citizens of Israel and the communities of the North.”
The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, said it was “alarmed” by the border violence.
“Any further escalation of this volatile situation could have serious consequences for the region,” it said.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned of a renewal of military operations in the south of Lebanon. “All security and military measures must be taken to show that Lebanon decides on matters of war and peace,” he said.
The ceasefire ended Israel’s intense bombardment and ground operations in Lebanon and Hezbollah’s daily rocket barrages into Israel. Each side has accused the other of failing to implement the deal in full.
Israel says Hezbollah still has military infrastructure in the south. Lebanon and Hezbollah say Israel is occupying Lebanese land by continuing to carry out some airstrikes and keeping its troops at five hilltop positions near the frontier.
Reuters
