A second Hamas suspect handed over to army over rocket fire

The Lebanese Army said Monday that Hamas handed over a second Palestinian suspected of involvement in rocket fire at Israel, one day after the first suspect was handed over and several days after authorities warned the militant group against harming the country's security.

The two men are suspected of involvement in two rocket launches towards Israel from Lebanon on March 22 and 28, the army said.

Israel responded to the rocket fire by bombing south Lebanon and Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hamas ally Hezbollah holds sway.

Israel's military has continued to strike Lebanon despite a November ceasefire that sought to end more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah, including two months of all-out war.

The Israeli military often says it has targeted Hezbollah operatives or infrastructure, but also occasionally Hamas members or other allies.

Two army statements said the suspects’ handover came based on the "recommendation of the Higher Defence Council and the Lebanese government decision."

The council issued the recommendation on Friday, warning that "the utmost measures" would be taken to stop any action that violates Lebanese sovereignty.

Last month, the army arrested several Lebanese and Palestinian individuals accused of involvement in the March launches.

A Lebanese security source told AFP at the time three Hamas members had been arrested.

No group claimed responsibility for the rocket launches, and Hezbollah denied any involvement.