Tensions remain high between Lebanon and Israel after Israeli forces fired tear gas at Lebanese protesters in Kafr Shuba along the southern border during a demonstration.
Regional tensions reached a boiling point earlier this week, when Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque, arresting hundreds of Palestinian worshippers for violently barricading themselves inside the religious sanctuary.
Israel bombarded the Gaza Strip and Lebanon before dawn on Friday, saying it was targeting Palestinian militant group Hamas in retaliation for several dozen rockets fired at Israel from both territories. It was the biggest salvo fired from Lebanon since Israel fought a devastating 34-day war with Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in 2006 and the first time Israel has confirmed an attack on Lebanese territory since April 2022. The bombardment was launched around 4 am (0100 GMT), hitting both the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon, an Israeli army statement said.