Barrage of rockets hits Israel from Lebanon border as escalation mounts

Dozens of rockets were fired from Lebanon in the direction of Israel on Thursday afternoon, and only one was intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene an emergency meeting of the security cabinet this evening for a situational assessment — the first such meeting since February.

Two Israelis were injured by shrapnel from the rockets and taken to hospitals. One more woman was injured while running to a shelter, and another woman is being treated for trauma. A few fires broke out as result of the rocket fire, but did not cause any injuries. 

Sirens began sounding across the region 20 minutes before the first rocket was launched, warning Israelis to go into shelters. The red alert sirens sounded in dozens of towns and villages close to the border including Matsuva, Shlomi, Hanita, Admit, Eylon, Hila, Rosh HaNikra and Arab el Aramashe. The IDF instructed local authorities to close nature reserves and beaches in the north of Israel. Northern Israeli airspace is closed to traffic. 

The rocket attack from Lebanon comes on the first day of the Jewish holiday of Passover as thousands of families are vacationing in the north of the country. It is the first rocket salvo from Lebanon in almost two years.

The missiles come amid growing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians over clashes Tuesday night at Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif. Israeli security forces detained more than 300 people for barricading themselves at the site and amassing firecrackers and stones there, allegedly in order to strike Israeli visitors Wednesday morning. Scenes of Israeli police using batons and stun grenades inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, prompted wide condemnation across the Muslim world and from the European Union. After the crackdown, Hamas and Islamic Jihad fired rockets at the south of Israel. The IDF retaliated Wednesday morning by targeting two Hamas weapons depots. No casualties were reported in the exchange.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has issued initial instructions to IDF chief of staff on handling the situation.

So far, no organization has taken responsibility for the rocket fire, though Israel believes that it could not have taken place without Hezbollah’s approval.

The IDF reported Thursday evening that it had identified 34 rocket launchings. Of them, 25 were intercepted by the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system and five fell in Israeli territory.

Israeli Military Radio reported that according to a preliminary security assessment, the rockets were launched by Hamas factions in Lebanon in reaction to Temple Mount events, most likely with Hezbollah knowledge or approval.

The French Foreign Ministry condemned “the indiscriminate firing of rockets” Thursday evening. A statement issued by Paris read, “In this period of religious holidays, France calls on all parties for maximal restraint and to avoid any action likely to fuel the escalation of violence.”

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) tweeted, “The IDF informed UNIFIL that it had activated its Iron Dome defense system in response. Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro is in contact with authorities on both sides of the Blue Line. The current situation is extremely serious. UNIFIL urges restraint and to avoid further escalation.’’