Israel says bombed Hezbollah rockets in south after Lebanese Army failed to act
Israeli warplanes carried out two airstrikes Thursday evening on two mountainous areas in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region, deep in south Lebanon.
"Warplanes raided and destroyed a short while ago, with intelligence guidance from the intelligence authority, medium-range rocket launchers used by ... Hezbollah inside a military site of the organization. In addition, other rocket launchers were targeted next to another military site in the Nabatieh area," the Israeli army said
It added that as part of "implementing the (ceasefire) understandings between Israel and Lebanon," an Israeli request was sent to the Lebanese Army prior to the raid to neutralize the rocket launchpads, claiming that they "posed a threat to the Israeli home front and the Israeli army forces."
"The launchpads were targeted only after the request was not addressed by the Lebanese Army," the Israeli army noted.
It added that it "will continue to work to remove any threat to the State of Israel in accordance with the ceasefire understandings."
A video circulated on social media of a strike in Jbaa, in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region, showing large flames and secondary explosions.
No casualties were reported by Lebanon’s National News Agency. Hezbollah did not immediately comment on the attack.
The truce, which took effect on November 27, has been marked by mutual accusations of violations from both sides.
Under the terms of the ceasefire, the Lebanese Army is to deploy alongside U.N. peacekeepers in the south as the Israeli army withdraws over a 60-day period.
Hezbollah is to withdraw its forces north of the Litani River -- some 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border -- and dismantle its military infrastructure in the south.
In late December, the U.N. peacekeeping force expressed concern at the "continuing" damage done by Israeli forces in south Lebanon.
Source: Naharnet, Agence France Presse, Associated Press
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