Hezbollah targets Israeli military post, Israel hits back
Israel shelled south Lebanon Wednesday after Hezbollah fired rockets from the border area, the latest exchange on Israel's northern border as it battles Hamas militants in Gaza.
"The area around Dhayra is being bombarded by enemy artillery, while the area around Yarin is being hit with phosphorus shells," Lebanon's National News Agency said, earlier reporting "two rockets fired from Lebanese territory".
The exchange of fire came as Israel massed troops and heavy armour around Gaza in its retaliatory campaign against Hamas militants in a conflict that has left hundreds dead on both sides.
Hezbollah said it fired the missiles on Israel Wednesday in retaliation for the killing of three members earlier this week amid soaring tensions as Israel battles Gaza militants.
Hezbollah "targeted a Zionist (Israeli) position... facing Dhayra village, with guided missiles," in a "firm response to Zionist attacks... which led to the martyrdom of a number of brothers," the group said in a statement.
The Israeli military said that "in response to the anti-tank missiles that were launched at... soldiers a short while ago, the army is currently striking in Lebanese territory".
The two guided missiles fired from Lebanon targeted a military tower in northern Israel and caused casualties among the Israelis, media reports said.
On Tuesday, Hezbollah fighters targeted an Israeli armored personnel carrier (APC) in the Avivim settlement with two guided missiles, "in response to Israeli attacks" on a number of the group's observation points.
On Monday, Hezbollah struck two Israeli barracks in an "initial" retaliation to Israeli strikes that killed three of its members by striking.
Hezbollah warned of a "decisive" response to Israeli attacks "targeting our country and the security of our people, especially when these attacks lead to the deaths of martyrs".
On Sunday, Hezbollah fired artillery shells and guided missiles at Israel, "in solidarity" with Gaza. Israel's army hit back with artillery into southern Lebanon.
Palestinian factions have also fired rockets from Lebanon into Israel, since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, and three Palestinian militants attempted on Monday to infiltrate into Israel, killing three Israeli soldiers. Israel's army said its "killed a number of armed suspects" who had crossed the frontier from Lebanon.
Two civilians sustained "light injuries" in the border village of Dhayra, where shelling close to residential areas triggered fires in nearby groves.
The NNA said Israeli fire on several locations along the border had been "countered by resistance (Hezbollah) machine guns".
Both Israel and its closest ally the United States have warned Hezbollah against opening a second front as Israel battles Hamas in Gaza.
The Israeli army is "prepared for any scenario", spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters.
"Hezbollah is observing what Israel is doing in Gaza, it sees the volume of the destruction. Hezbollah sees this and understands," he said.
In Israel, the death toll from Hamas's shock cross-border assault rose to 1,200, the great majority of them civilians, while Gaza officials reported 1,055 people killed as Israel pounded the territory with air strikes.
In 2006, Hezbollah and Israel fought a devastating 34-day war that left more than 1,200 people dead in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and 160 in Israel, mostly soldiers.
Source: Naharnet, Agence France Presse
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