On October 8, Israel and Lebanon’s influential armed group Hezbollah engaged in artillery and rocket fire exchanges. This escalation followed the deadliest attack in years by Palestinian gunmen on Israel.
As of now, there have been no immediate reports of casualties in either Lebanon or Israel resulting from the Sunday’s exchanges of fire.
The preceding day, a coordinated attack by Palestinian gunmen on Israeli towns resulted in a tragic toll, with at least 250 Israelis losing their lives. In response, Israel carried out retaliatory bombardments, resulting in the deaths of over 300 Palestinians. This series of events has heightened tensions in the region.
Hezbollah, a well-armed group supported by Iran, announced on Sunday that it had launched guided rockets. And artillery fire targeting three locations in the Shebaa Farms region as an expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
In response to the cross-border fire initiated from Lebanon. The Israeli military stated that it had fired artillery into the area from which the shooting had occurred. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed, “IDF artillery is currently striking. The area in Lebanon from where a shooting was carried out.” This exchange of fire has further heightened tensions in the region.
Israel’s military reported that one of its drones had targeted a Hezbollah post in the Har Dov region, which is part of the Shebaa area.
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated in televised remarks, “At this point, there is no further threat in Har Dov or the northern arena,”. But he also noted that the military remained on high alert.
Subsequently, the IDF confirmed. That it had fired a warning shot towards a group of “suspects” in the same area of Har Dov.
According to a Lebanese security source, a Hezbollah tent in the Shebaa Farms region had been hit. But Hezbollah fighters had promptly set up a new one. The situation remains tense in the area.
A second exchange of fire occurred several hours later, with two Lebanese security sources reporting that rockets fired from Lebanon struck Israeli positions in the Shebaa Farms. And in response, Israel initiated artillery fire targeting the village of Kfar Shouba.
As of now, there has been no immediate comment from the Israeli military regarding the second exchange, nor from the Lebanese army. However, a separate Lebanese security source, speaking anonymously. But mentioned that the Lebanese army had intensified its patrols in the southern region.
The territorial dispute over the Shebaa Farms remains a point of contention. Israel has held control over this 15-square-mile (39-square-km) area since 1967. So while both Syria and Lebanon assert that the Shebaa Farms belong to Lebanon.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, known as UNIFIL. And reported that it had detected several rockets launched from southeast Lebanon toward Israeli-occupied territory. As well as artillery fire from Israel into Lebanon in response. UNIFIL’s spokesperson, Andrea Tenenti, noted that they are in contact with authorities on both sides of the Blue Line (the demarcation line between Lebanon. And Israel) to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.
On a previous occasion, UNIFIL had already increased. Its presence in southern Lebanon due to developments in Israel and Gaza, including their efforts to counter rocket launches.
The U.N.’s special coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka, expressed deep concern about the exchange of fire. And urged all parties to protect Lebanon and its people from further escalation.
Hezbollah, which effectively controls southern Lebanon, stated that it was in direct contact with leaders of Palestinian resistance groups. It viewed the Palestinian attacks on Israel as a decisive response to Israel’s ongoing occupation. And as a message to those pursuing normalization with Israel.