Israel Shells South Lebanon after Rocket Attack
Israel fired artillery shells into southern Lebanon on Wednesday after two rockets landed in the Israeli settlement of Kiryat Shmona near Lebanon's border.
"Three rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israeli territory," the Israeli army said in a statement, adding that one had fallen short of the border.
"In response... artillery forces fired into Lebanese territory."
The rockets hit near the northern Israeli settlement of Kiryat Shmona, where air raid sirens sent residents into bomb shelters.
Israeli medics distributed images of a bush fire and said they treated four people suffering "stress symptoms."
The Israeli army said it had imposed no restrictions on civilians in northern areas.
The Israeli shelling sparked a blaze in Lebanon's Khiyam Plain. The rocket attack also caused a fire in Kiryat Shmona.
The head of civilian security for Israel’s northern Galilee region told army radio that the rockets hit in peak tourism season.
"This was a surprise to us, but not something we didn't think could happen," he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he and Defense Minister Benny Gantz had been "briefed" on developments and were overseeing Israel's response.
Shortly after the Bennett-Gantz meeting, the Israeli army started shelling areas along the border in a fiercer way.
Source: Associated Press, Naharnet
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