Militant Faction Claims Responsibility for Firing Numerous Rockets at Israeli Village of Meron Following Israeli Airstrikes, Resulting in Five Deaths in Southern Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah announced it launched dozens of rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for Israeli strikes that killed at least five people in southern Lebanon, including three Hezbollah members. Concerns of a regional escalation have intensified.

Hezbollah, aligned with the Palestinian group Hamas, and Israel have engaged in almost daily border skirmishes since Israel initiated a severe offensive on Gaza on October 7, following a lethal attack within Israel.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching “dozens of katyusha-type rockets” towards the Israeli village of Meron, located 8km (5 miles) from the border. Meron houses a significant air control base frequently targeted by the Iran-backed group this year.

Smoke billows above buildings following an Israeli strike in the southern Lebanese border village of Majdal Zoun on March 9, 2024 [AFP]

Hezbollah cited Israeli attacks on southern villages and civilian homes, notably the previous day’s strike on a fighter’s residence in Khirbet Selm, as its motive.

Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported the deaths of a woman and another individual in the same strike.

The Israeli army reported around 35 launches from Lebanon towards Israeli territory following sirens in northern Israel. Several of these launches were intercepted.