2023-10-21 19:16:49
Exchanges of fire increased on Friday in the border area between Israel and Lebanon under very high tension since the attack launched by Hamas on October 7, the Israeli army announced on Friday.
In the morning, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced the evacuation of the town of Kyriat Shmona, usually populated by 25,000 inhabitants, most of whom have already left.
The international community fears a spillover of the conflict between the pro-Iranian Lebanese Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas, and the Israeli army. Since October 7, the Israeli army has been on alert on its northern border to ward off a possible Hezbollah offensive.
Friday was again punctuated by exchanges of fire, small arms and artillery, along the blue line which separates Israel and Lebanon for approximately 80 kilometers, according to several successive press releases from the Israeli army.
The army thus reported:twenty (rocket) shots from Lebanon towards Israeli territory“, a missile attack targeting its positions on the border, and “small arms fire” towards its observation points. The army responded with “artillery fire“, according to one of the press releases.
In a statement, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack on five Israeli positions “with guided missiles and appropriate weapons“.
Several other exchanges of fire were noted by the Israeli army.
Shots targeted the agricultural village of Margaliot, near Kyriat Shmona, before an Israeli response, according to the army. Three men identified as “Hezbollah terrorists” were also targeted by Israeli aircraft in the border area with Lebanon.
Israeli snipers also “opened fire on armed men operating in the border area with Lebanon“, according to a press release.
On Thursday, the Israeli army reported an anti-tank rocket launcher attack from Lebanese territory and responded by attacking “Hezbollah infrastructure“. Israeli air raids were also launched against the area of fire.
At least 22 people have been killed in southern Lebanon since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, most of them fighters, but also at least four civilians, including a Archyde.com journalist. At least three people were killed near the border on the Israeli side.
“We are on alert and vigilance in the north, if Hezbollah makes a serious mistake, we will respond with great force“, Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari warned on Tuesday.
“Evacuate residents“
The Kyriat Shmona evacuation operation had not started late Friday afternoon, but a large part of the residents had already left, as evidenced by the deserted streets and closed stores.
The Israeli army announced in the morning “the implementation of a plan to evacuate residents to state-funded reception centers“.
There is therefore clearly a risk of escalation of the conflict via southern Lebanon. Proof of the tension in northern Israel, Belgium asks its nationals to leave Lebanon”as quickly as possible“.
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