The Israeli military on Tuesday fired artilery shells into Lebanon after two rockets had been fired into northern Israel earlier.
Two rockets were launched into Western Galilee overnight on Tuesday setting off sirens in northern cities and towns but causing no damage or injuries. One of the rockets was shot down by missile defenses and the other landed in an open area, the military said.
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Palestinian flag erected in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel
(Photo: AFP)
The military said it believes that "Palestinian elements" in Lebanon are responsible for the overnight rocket launch.
"Two rockets were fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel. One of the rockets was intercepted by the Iron Dome Aerial Defense System & the second rocket fell in an open area inside Israel," the IDF said in a tweet.
The attack occurred just hours before Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was due to visit the city of Ma'alot-Tarshiha in the Galilee.
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Bennett visiting Ma'alot-Tarshiha in the Galilee hours after the rocket attack
(Photo: Rami Shalosh)
Visiting the town, Bennett said that "anyone who tries to harm us will pay a painful price in return."
Defense Minister Benny Gantz said in a statement that Lebanon was responsible for the overnight rocket fire and that "Israel will act against any threat to its sovereignty and its citizens."
"We will not allow the social, political and economic crisis in Lebanon to turn into a security threat to Israel," Gantz said. Lebanon has struggled with an unprecedented crisis, including an economic meltdown that has raised concerns of a surge in militancy there.
UNIFIL said it was in contact with military officials in Lebanon and Israel to "urge maximum restraint" to avoid further escalation. Both the peacekeepers and the Lebanese army increased security in the area and launched an investigation, the mission said.
The last time rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel was in May, during an 11-day conflict fought between Israel and Palestinian terror groups in the Gaza Strip.
Israel fought a 2006 war against Hezbollah terrorists, who have sway in southern Lebanon and advanced rockets. The border has been mostly quiet since then.