Israel and Hezbollah exchanged artillery fire and rocket launches today, Sunday, following a day of the largest deadly attack on Israel from Palestinian militants in years. The Lebanese army announced that on 8/10/2023, "military units belonging to the Israeli enemy shelling the outskirts of the towns of Shebaa, Haltah, Kfarshouba, and Al-Habariyeh with artillery and tanks, after launching shells and rockets from one of the southern areas towards the enemy’s sites in the occupied Lebanese territories. This hostile shelling resulted in injuries among citizens who were transported to a hospital for treatment."
In parallel, the Lebanese army confirmed that "starting from 7/10/2023, it has been deploying in border areas and conducting patrols, while closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)."
Earlier, it was reported that Israeli shelling renewed on the outskirts of Kfarshouba and Sdanah, following two rockets launched from the Lebanese side towards Israeli army positions in Shebaa Farms. The National News Agency reported that two children were injured in Kfarshouba from shrapnel from scattered glass due to the Israeli shelling, and they were transported to Marjeoun governmental hospital for treatment, one of whom is still an infant.
This Sunday morning, "mortar" shells launched from southern Lebanon targeted Israeli positions in Roissiyat Al-Alam, Al-Ramthah, and Radar Hill within Shebaa Farms, prompting artillery from the Israeli army to respond with fire on specific locations. The Radar Hill site overlooking the town of Shebaa was hit with six shells, and the Israeli artillery retaliated with shelling inside the occupied territories.
Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack on three sites in the Lebanese Shebaa Farms area, stating: "The attack was carried out with a large number of artillery shells and guided missiles, and the sites were directly hit." It noted that "in the context of liberating what remains of our occupied Lebanese land and in solidarity with the victorious Palestinian resistance and the struggling and patient Palestinian people, groups of martyred leader Haj Imad Mughniyeh in the Islamic Resistance launched this Sunday morning, October 8, 2023, an attack on three sites of the Zionist occupation in the region of occupied Lebanese Shebaa Farms: the Radar site, the Zabdine site, and the Roissiyat Al-Alam site with a large number of artillery shells and guided missiles, achieving direct hits on the sites as victory comes only from Allah the Almighty and Wise."
Immediately, the Israeli army ordered the closure of tourist resorts near the border with Lebanon. It stated that it fired artillery at an area in Lebanon from which mortar shells were launched across the border towards Israel. The artillery added: "is currently shelling the Lebanese area from which the fire was launched... Our forces have taken measures to prepare for such a possibility and will continue to operate in all areas at any time necessary to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens." It also announced that "one of its drones targeted infrastructure belonging to Hezbollah in an area on the border with Lebanon."
International Forces
UNIFIL's official spokesperson Andrea Tenenti announced that "early this morning, UNIFIL peacekeepers observed the launch of several rockets from southeast Lebanon towards the areas occupied by Israel in the Kfar Shouba area, and artillery fire from Israel towards Lebanon in response." He added: "We are in contact with the authorities on both sides of the Blue Line, at all levels, to contain the situation and prevent a more serious escalation." Tenenti pointed out that "UNIFIL peacekeepers are at their positions and carrying out their missions, including from shelters for their safety." He further stated: "We urge everyone to exercise restraint and use the coordination and linkage mechanisms that UNIFIL takes on to de-escalate and prevent a rapid deterioration of the security situation."
Frunceska
The UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon, Joanna Frunceska, wrote on her page on the X platform: "I am deeply concerned about the exchange of fire across the Blue Line this morning." She continued: "It is more important than ever to adhere to a cessation of hostilities and full implementation of Resolution 1701, to protect Lebanon and its people from further escalation." She concluded: "The Office of the UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon will continue to do everything it can in coordination with UNIFIL to support efforts to protect Lebanon's security and stability."
In a clear challenge, Hezbollah set up a new tent in place of the one destroyed by Israel and stationed several of its members nearby.
