Warnings of rocket fire and fear of hostile aircraft penetration in about 90 communities in the north, dozens of launches were fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory: This is how it began Saturday morning in northern Israel. According to the IDF, about 40 launches were identified from Lebanese territory that crossed into Israeli territory in the Meron area, and no launches or hostile aircraft were identified that crossed into Israeli territory in other areas in northern Israel. In addition, a short time later the IDF attacked a terrorist squad in Lebanese territory that took part in the launches.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the barrage at Meron. They claimed that 62 rockets had been fired, "an initial response to the assassination of Saleh al-Arouri," deputy of Hamas' political bureau, who was assassinated in Beirut's Dahiya district last Tuesday.
Salah al-Arouri's funeral in Beirut, photo: AP
Later, IAF fighter jets and IDF forces targeted a series of Hezbollah targets in the areas of Aita al-Shaab, Yaron and Ramia in southern Lebanon, among the targets attacked, a launching post, military buildings and terrorist infrastructure. In addition, a number of launches were identified from Lebanese territory towards the areas of Metula and Margaliot. A remotely manned IAF aircraft attacked a terrorist squad firing at the Metula area.
The IDF attacked the squad that fired at Israel in Lebanon // IDF Spokesperson
Moshe Davidovitch, head of the Mateh Asher Regional Council and chairman of the Confrontation Line Forum, responded to the heavy barrages to the north this morning: "The events this morning in the north are another declaration by Hezbollah of war in the presence of one side. Hezbollah declares war, and Israel responds with containment and a measured response, as was the case on the eve of October 6. We, the mayors and residents of the north, expect the removal of the daily threat to our communities, and we do not rely on political arrangements.
"Hezbollah must be eradicated and its day-to-day threat capabilities eliminated," he added. "It's not easy, it has terrible costs, but let me be clear – the price of not doing so is to exclude the northern border of the State of Israel to Haifa."
Eitan Davidi, chairman of the committee in Moshav Margaliot: "They say Nasrallah does not want war. And I say that Nasrallah won the war. He showed up at the border. He moved us away from the border and created a security zone inside Israel. He achieved everything he could expect. From here he can only lose. So why does he need a war. He sets the rules."
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us