Israeli forces deny retaliation following missile attack from Lebanon
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) has denied earlier reports from local media sourcesthat it retaliated with artillery fire towards Lebanon following the launch of rockets from the country into Northern Israel.
Earlier today, at least three Katuysha rockets were fired from Lebanon into areas near Kiryat Shemona and the coastal city of Nahariya, with one intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system and at least two landing in uninhabited areas.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks, but Lebanese media has been reporting at least two of the rockets were fired from the Ras al-Ain neighborhood of the city of Tyre. Speaking anonymously, officials from the IDF spokesperson's unit said they believe the rockets were fired by "global jihad" terrorists – another term for Al Qaeda-linked or inspired Sunni terrorists – as opposed to the Shia Hezbollah terrorist group.
The Associated Press said there were no injuries as a result of the initial missile attacks. Police spokeswoman Luba Samri is quoted as saying initial reports indicate the two rockets that made it past the Iron Dome defence system landed in open fields, causing no damage.
Various local media reports said explosions and sirens were heard near Nahariya and that the Israeli military would be investigating.
The Israel-Lebanon border has been fairly quiet since the battles between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas in 2006, although incidents of rocket fire have taken place.
The Jerasulem Post said the Israel Defence Forces Spokespersons Unit was instructing citizens residing in the vicinity of the border to stay near safe rooms.