Tensions in the Middle East: Rockets fired at Israel from Lebanon

Two rockets were fired at Israel from Lebanon. Although the Israeli military blames a Palestinian group, Foreign Minister Gantz still criticizes the Lebanese government.

Two rockets have been fired into northern Israel from Lebanon. The region is prepared for fire from Lebanon, but the attacks came as a surprise to many.

According to Israeli information, one missile was intercepted by the “Iron Dome” defense system, and the second landed on an open area. There were no injuries or damage. In response, the Israeli army bombarded the area in Lebanon from which the rockets were fired.

Army suspects Palestinians behind fire

Israeli army officials do not see the Hezbollah militia behind the attacks, but rather a smaller Palestinian group. As early as May, Palestinians fired rockets from Lebanon at Israel, at the same time as the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz still blamed the Beirut government for the attack. Lebanon allows terrorists to be active in its territory, he criticized on Twitter. Israel will not allow the social, political and economic crisis in Lebanon to become a security threat for their own country. “I call on the international community to restore stability in Lebanon,” demanded Gantz.

Countries are at war

Israel and Lebanon have been officially at war for decades. Lebanon has also been experiencing one of the worst economic and financial crises in its history for almost two years.

Despite the official state of war, Israel had repeatedly offered humanitarian aid to the neighboring state: for example last August after the serious explosion in the port of Beirut. Most recently, Gantz repeated his offer around two weeks ago in view of the severe crisis in Lebanon. So far, however, the government in Beirut has not accepted any of these offers.