Israeli forces shelled border areas with Lebanon with approximately 20 artillery shells of 155 mm caliber, in response to the launch of two rockets on Thursday, one of which fell in Lebanese territory and the other near a disputed area on the border. Reports indicated that the launch occurred from the Bastore area between Kfarshouba and Al-Mari in the south. After the shelling ceased, Israeli reconnaissance aircraft flew over the Kfarshouba area and the adjacent regions.
After conflicting reports emerged in the morning regarding the incident, Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adraee announced on Twitter that Israeli forces were retaliating against the rocket launched from Lebanon. He stated, "Following an investigation by the army at the site, it was clear that a shell was fired from Lebanese territory and exploded near the border within Israeli territory. In response, the Defense Forces are currently attacking the launch area inside Lebanon."
The Israeli army later confirmed that its forces had shelled an area in Lebanon from which a rocket was launched across the border. The statement noted that a rocket fired earlier from within Lebanon had exploded inside Israeli territory. The army had indicated in a prior statement that it had not observed any initial indications of unusual events on the Israeli side of the border and that no instructions had been issued in Israel to open shelters in settlements near the border with Lebanon. No party has claimed responsibility for the launch of the two rockets.
In a statement, UNIFIL stated that "shortly after 8 a.m., UNIFIL peacekeepers observed explosions near Majidiyeh." The statement added, "We were unable to confirm the source or cause of the explosions at the time, but we sent peacekeepers to investigate, as the sounds were consistent with the potential launch of a rocket. Around noon, we observed shells from Israel on the Kfarshouba area in Lebanon."
UNIFIL emphasized that "this incident comes at a sensitive time in an area that has seen tensions earlier this week. We urge everyone to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could lead to further escalation."
Lebanon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants condemned the Israeli shelling of Lebanese territory today around Kfarshouba, considering it a violation of Resolution 1701 and an attack on Lebanese sovereignty. The ministry called on the United Nations and the international community to pressure Israel to stop its "increasingly frequent violations" of Lebanese territory, airspace, and territorial waters.
The ministry also urged countries that wish to maintain calm and stability, especially in southern Lebanon and the wider Middle East, to pay attention to the timing of these Israeli violations, coinciding with the upcoming request for the extension of UNIFIL's operations in southern Lebanon to be presented to the UN Security Council, "aimed at creating tensions and disturbances."
Furthermore, the ministry renewed Lebanon's commitment to implementing all international resolutions and called for Israel's immediate and unconditional withdrawal from all Lebanese territories still under its occupation.
