Beirut: Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal announced that the military is investigating the rocket fire that originated from southern Lebanon into Israel on Friday. Several suspects have been detained for questioning, according to media reports.
During an inspection of the South Litani Sector Command and military positions along the border, Haykal emphasized the army’s responsibility to protect Lebanon and its citizens, irrespective of political or sectarian divisions. He cautioned that launching rockets from Lebanese territory serves “the enemy.”
“The army is making significant efforts to fulfill its duties in the south, as acknowledged by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the five-member committee overseeing the ceasefire,” Haykal noted. He reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to upholding UN Resolution 1701 and adhering to the ceasefire agreement, following directives from President Joseph Aoun and the government.
Haykal accused Israel of hindering the army’s complete deployment in the south due to its presence in occupied Lebanese territory and repeated violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
In response to the rocket fire, Israeli warplanes targeted locations in southern Lebanon and struck a building in the Dahieh area of Beirut, resulting in at least six fatalities and 21 injuries from the Israeli strikes, according to official Lebanese sources. This airstrike, particularly in Dahieh, a densely populated stronghold of Hezbollah, marked Israel’s first such action in the region since November of the previous year and represented a significant escalation in tensions between the two sides, despite an existing fragile ceasefire.
A truce brokered by the US and France between Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect since November 27, 2024, putting an end to over a year of cross-border conflicts linked to the Gaza situation. However, despite the agreement, Israel has continued to target locations in Lebanon, citing ongoing security threats from Hezbollah.
The Israeli military has also failed to meet a February 18 deadline for a full withdrawal from five border positions. Reports indicate that numerous incidents of Israeli violations since the ceasefire were linked to the deaths of at least 117 people in Lebanon.
In response, Hezbollah has denied any involvement in the rocket fire and accused Israel of seeking justification for its continued aggression against Lebanon.
