On Thursday afternoon, thirty-four rockets were launched into Israel from southern Lebanon by terrorists in the area. This is a major escalation and the largest rocket barrage to be fired from Lebanon since 2006.
To be clear, these were Lebanese terrorists who launched rockets into civilian populations in Israel. This is a war crime against Israel and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has every right to respond to such threats.
The IDF said on Thursday afternoon that 34 rockets were launched from southern Lebanon into the Western and Upper Galilee area. According to the IDF, 25 of the 34 projectiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome air defence system.
Footage of Iron Dome interceptor missiles over northern Israel amid rocket barrages from Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/ETfULdecJo
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) April 6, 2023
Five of the rockets that were launched towards Israel landed in Israeli territory. These caused damage to properties and roads as well as minor injuries to two people.
The two victims of this terror attack were said to have only minor injuries caused by shrapnel, according to the Galilee Medical Center in Nahayira.
The hospital said the victims were a 26-year-old man from Yanuh Jat who was lightly hurt after being hit by shrapnel while driving a motorcycle near Shlomi and a 19-year-old from Fassuta who was also hit by shrapnel while driving in the village.
Rocket from Lebanon hits the city of Shlomi, northern Israel pic.twitter.com/cJPIz0tstW
— Yosef Yisrael (@yosefyisrael25) April 6, 2023
No terror group has currently claimed responsibility for the attack. A source close to the Hezbollah terror group has told a Saudi news agency that Hezbollah was not involved. However, it is unlikely that other terror groups in southern Lebanon would launch an attack against Israel without approval from Hezbollah, which has tight control over the region.
It should be noted that Hezbollah is one of the strongest military forces in the Middle East and is under the direct control of Iran. Both Hezbollah and the Iranian regime have called for Israel’s destruction and have long taken action to damage the state of Israel.
Over the last couple of hours, 34 rockets were fired from Lebanon at Northern Israel, putting innocent lives in danger.
The Israeli government will take all necessary measures to defend its citizens against acts of violence! pic.twitter.com/MRNIzQi9X0
— David Saranga (@DavidSaranga) April 6, 2023
The rocket attack has taken place while Jews are celebrating Passover and on the eve of Easter celebrations for Christians. Terror groups have been incited to violence over the criminal actions of Palestinian terrorists on the Temple Mount earlier in the week when they barricaded themselves inside the al-Aqsa mosque and violently attacked Israeli police with stones and fireworks.
Israel restored peace to the holy site by entering the mosque and arresting the rioters. The IDF’s actions ensured Muslims were free to continue praying at the mosque. However, anti-Israel propaganda has been spreading that Israeli forces were at fault and unfortunately international media outlets have also disseminated false information about what took place.
On Tuesday evening rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel as a sign of solidarity with the Temple Mount rioters. In response, Israeli forces struck Hamas targets, hitting a weapons manufacturing site in Gaza.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called on the world to condemn the terrorism both from Gaza and Lebanon.
“First day of Passover. As we sit at the holiday table, family and friends, Israel is facing rockets from south and north. This is not a coincidence. No one should test us, we will take all necessary measures to defend our country and people,” Cohen tweeted.
“I call on the international community to issue a clear statement against those responsible for the attacks on Israel,” he added.
First day of Passover. As we sit at the holiday table, family and friends, Israel is facing rockets from south and north. This is not a coincidence. No one should test us, we will take all necessary measures to defend our country and people.
— אלי כהן | Eli Cohen (@elicoh1) April 6, 2023
The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, said the attack was “extremely serious.”
“This afternoon there were multiple rocket launches from southern Lebanon toward Israel,” UNIFIL said in a statement.
The statement added that the head of UNIFIL, Major General Aroldo Lazaro is in contact with both Israeli and Lebanese authorities.
The statement added, “The current situation is extremely serious. UNIFIL urges restraint and to avoid further escalation.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently meeting with leaders of the Israel Defense Forces and also his security cabinet to see what response Israel is going to make.
Right now Muslims are celebrating Ramadan, Jews are celebrating Passover and Christians will be celebrating Easter in Jerusalem.
It is supposed to be a time of celebration and peace, but instead, the terrorists that surround Israel are trying to destroy that peace.
Let’s continue to pray for Israel. For protection over Israel and for wisdom for her leaders.
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This year, we want to do more to bless Israel and the Jewish people.
We know that as we bless Israel this year, God will bless us, just as He promised in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Now is the time to bless Israel and the Jewish people.
