Lebanese army discovers rocket launchers in south following attack on northern Israel

The Lebanese army announced on Saturday that it had discovered a rocket launch platform following an attack launched from southern Lebanon toward northern Israel.

“Following the launch of rockets from Lebanese territory toward occupied Palestinian lands, the army conducted search and inspection operations,” the army said in a statement.

It further stated that three makeshift rocket launchers were found in an area north of the Litani River, between the towns of Kfar Tibnit and Arnoun in the Nabatieh district, and that they were dismantled by military personnel.

The army confirmed that its units continue to implement measures to maintain stability in southern Lebanon.

Earlier in the day, Israel claimed that the town of Metula in the north had been targeted by rocket fire originating from Lebanon, prompting the Israeli military to retaliate by bombing several villages and towns in southern Lebanon.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack on Metula.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese group Hezbollah denied any involvement in the rocket launches from southern Lebanon.

In a statement, the group reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned attempts to drag the country back into violence, describing the escalation in the south as a “persistent aggression” against Lebanon.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that any further rocket fire targeting Metula would be met with Israeli strikes on Lebanon's capital Beirut.

This latest round of cross-border violence comes amid growing tensions following Israel's violation of a ceasefire with the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.

A fragile ceasefire had also been in place in Lebanon since November, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah, which escalated into a full-scale conflict in September.

Lebanese authorities reported nearly 1,100 Israeli violations of the ceasefire, including the deaths of at least 85 victims and injuries to more than 280.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after Israel refused to comply. It still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.