Israel and Lebanon declare tough stance against each other

Israeli and Lebanese leaders have issued stern statements, after Israel launched artillery and air strikes in southern Lebanon in retaliation for rockets fired from the area earlier in the day.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Reuters news agency on March 22 quoted a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying that he and Defense Minister Israel Katz had ordered the army to "take strong action against dozens of terrorist targets in Lebanon."

According to Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israel is holding the Lebanese government responsible for "everything that happens on its territory".

"Israel will not allow any harm to its citizens, its sovereignty and will do everything in its power to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens and communities in the north," he said.

The statement came after Israel intercepted rockets fired from southern Lebanon on March 22 and responded with artillery and air strikes.

The Israeli military said it intercepted three rockets fired from an area in Lebanon, about 6 km (3.7 miles) from the border, the second such launch since a US-brokered ceasefire in November ended the conflict between the two sides.

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Israel said it was still investigating who was responsible for the rocket fire toward the border town of Metula. Hezbollah in Lebanon has not commented.

Lebanon's state news agency reported a series of Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling targeting southern border towns and hills about 8 km deep into Lebanese territory.

The Civil Defense of southern Lebanon said two people were killed and 10 wounded in the Israeli raid. There were no reports of Israeli casualties.

The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on March 22 sounded the alarm over the violence on the border. "Any further escalation of this volatile situation could have serious consequences for the region," UNIFIL said.

On the Lebanese government side, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam warned against a resumption of military operations in the south of the country. "All security and military measures must be taken to demonstrate that Lebanon is decisive on the issue of war and peace," he declared.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/israel-va-li-bang-tuyen-bo-cung-ran-nham-vao-nhau-185250322201324983.htm