Israel launched its biggest airstrikes on Lebanon in 17 years early Friday, after dozens of rockets struck the north of the country during the Jewish Passover holiday and sent tensions in the region spiraling.
The exchanges, which also come during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and in the run-up to the Christian holy day of Easter, represent the most serious escalation between Israel and Lebanon since a 34-day war in 2006.
No group claimed responsibility for the attacks from Lebanon, although Israel pinned the blame on Hamas, the Palestinian group that controls the blockaded Gaza Strip. Israel said it had also hit ten targets across Gaza on Friday.
Israeli officials also said they would not allow Hamas to operate from Lebanon, adding it would hold Lebanon responsible for any “hostile fire” from its territory.
Israel also said it was investigating whether Iran-linked Hezbollah was involved in the missile strikes on northern Israel.
At around 4 a.m. (9 p.m. Thursday ET), three Hamas targets were hit with airstrikes near Rashidieh, a town south of the Lebanese city of Tyre, Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a statement that.
Of the 35 missiles launched from Lebanon on Thursday night, Israel’s Iron Dome defense system intercepted 25, the IDF said.
The Lebanese army said it found a rocket launcher in the Marjeyoun Plain in southern Lebanon, containing unlaunched rockets.
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