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Hezbollah and Israel exchange rocket fire amid Hamas attack

Hezbollah and Israel exchange rocket fire amid Hamas operation
MENA
2 min read
08 October, 2023
The strikes caused no causalities but risked a greater escalation between the two parties as fighting in southern Israel and Gaza raged.
Hezbollah rockets hit at least three sites in northern Israel, including an Israeli radar station.

The pro-Iran group Hezbollah and Israeli forces exchanged rocket and artillery fire on the southern Lebanon border early on Sunday, with no reported casualties on either side, as the assault on southern Israel by Hamas continued.

Hezbollah said that it targeted three locations in northern Israel, including an Israeli radar in the occupied Shebaa Farms, prompting Israel to fire artillery shells and conduct a drone strike in response.

In a statement, Hezbollah said that the strikes were made "in an attempt to liberate what remains of occupied Lebanese land, in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance and people".

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Israeli forces said that it "has taken preparational measures" for a possible Hezbollah response and said it will remain in a state of alert.

It is unclear if the rocket exchange would prompt a greater escalation between the two parties, as limited rocket fire between northern Israel and southern Lebanon has occurred in recent years without spilling into a larger conflict.

The volley came just a day after Hamas launched "Operation al-Aqsa Flood," in which it entered southern Israel by land, sea and air, as well as launched thousands of rockets from Gaza.

The attack caught Israel by surprise and is the largest in its scale in decades.

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In response, Israel launched "Operation Iron Swords," fighting to reclaim southern Israel and bombing the Gaza strip since Monday.

Over 300 Israelis were killed and 1,000 injured, and 198 Palestinians were killed and 1,610 injured in the ensuing hostilities.

Hezbollah congratulated Hamas on its attack in a statement on Monday but stopped short of declaring military support for the militia.

It said that it would continue to "assess" the situation, while in direct contact with Hamas leadership in both Lebanon and Palestine.