Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, issued a stern warning to Beirut on Friday, March 28, following rocket attacks from Lebanon that have shaken the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
“If there is no peace in Kiryat Shmona and Galilee, there will be no peace in Beirut,” Katz declared, referring to the northern Israeli towns targeted by the attacks.
Rocket Attacks and Israeli Response
According to the Israeli military, two rockets were launched from Lebanon early Friday. One was intercepted by Israeli defense systems, while the other landed in Lebanese territory.
This marks the second such attack since the November ceasefire that ended over a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. Despite the truce, Israel has continued to conduct airstrikes in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah positions.
Lebanon’s state news agency reported Israeli shelling in the village of Khiam, located five kilometers from the border, as well as strikes in Kfar Kila and military raids in Hamames.
Rising Tensions and Background
The latest escalation follows Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon earlier this week, which reportedly killed six Hezbollah members. In response, rockets were fired towards Israel, heightening fears of renewed conflict.
Hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah intensified after October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah launched attacks in support of Hamas following the Palestinian group’s deadly assault on southern Israel. The cross-border clashes escalated into a near-full-scale war, with Israel launching an extensive bombing campaign in Lebanon and sending ground troops across the border.
Despite the ceasefire agreement in November, Israeli forces remain stationed in five key locations in southern Lebanon, which Israel considers strategically vital—though the deadline for their withdrawal has already passed.
With tensions once again on the rise, the risk of another major confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah looms large.
