2023 Israel–Lebanon shellings

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2023 Israel–Lebanon shellings
Part of the Iran–Israel proxy conflict and the Israeli–Lebanese conflict
South lebanon map.png
Israel−Lebanon border
Date6–7 April 2023
(1 day)
Location
Result Ceasefire
Belligerents

Flag of Hamas.svg  Hamas
Flag placeholder.svg PIJ

Supported by

Flag of Israel.svg  Israel

Commanders and leaders

Flag of Hamas.svg Ismail Haniyeh

Flag placeholder.svg Ziyad al-Nakhalah

Flag of Israel.svg Benjamin Netanyahu

Flag of Israel.svg Yoav Gallant
Casualties and losses
3 Israeli civilians injured

On 6 April 2023, dozens of rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, wounding 3 Israeli civilians. [2] The Israel government alleged that the rockets were fired by Palestinian factions Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, with Hezbollah's approval. [3]

Contents

In the morning of 7 April, the Israeli Air Force struck targets in Tyre, Lebanon and in the Gaza Strip in retaliation. [4]

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) described the situation as "extremely serious" and urged restraint. It said UNIFIL chief Aroldo Lazaro was in contact with authorities on both sides. [5]

The attacks were the largest escalation between Lebanon and Israel since the 2006 Lebanon War and until the 2023 Israel–Lebanon border clashes. [3]

Background

Palestinian refugees have had a long presence in Southern Lebanon, with it being often used as a center to launch rockets into northern Israel. A state of heightened tension existed between Israel and Hamas following the 2023 Al-Aqsa clashes. [3]

Shellings

On 6 April 2023, dozens of rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel, wounding 3 Israeli civilians. [2] The Israel Defense Forces has said that it has intercepted 25 rockets fired from Lebanon. [2] Warning sirens had sounded in the town of Shlomi and in Betzet in northern Israel. [2] According to Israel, the rockets were fired by Palestinian factions Hamas and PIJ with Hezbollah's approval. [3]

On the early morning of 7 April, the Israeli Air Force retaliated by striking targets in Tyre, Lebanon and in the Gaza Strip. [6]

In a written statement, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) described the situation as "extremely serious" and urged restraint. It said UNIFIL chief Aroldo Lazaro was in contact with authorities on both sides. [7] The attacks are the largest escalation between the two countries since the 2006 Lebanon War. [3]

Involvement of Hezbollah

Hezbollah was alleged by Israel to have given permission for Hamas to fire the rockets, [8] however, Israeli airstrikes did not target Hezbollah positions and Hezbollah has insisted that it will not get involved in "local attacks" by Israel in Lebanon. [9]

Reactions

See also

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References

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