Rocket from Lebanon hits northern Israel

A rocket fired from Lebanon slammed into a new residential neighborhood in the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona early Saturday, causing significant damage to multiple homes, cars, and a roadway, Israeli media reported. The explosion left a trail of destruction but fortunately resulted in no casualties, according to Channel 13.

The Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that fire and rescue teams were dispatched to the scene, where they dealt with a damaged gas cylinder and conducted checks for potential gas leaks. The rocket strike struck a residential area, damaging both private properties and infrastructure in the city, which lies near Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

Siren failure raises questions

In an unusual development, warning sirens did not sound before the rocket landed, according to Channel 13. The Israeli military has launched an investigation to determine why the early warning system failed to activate, the Walla news outlet reported. No injuries have been reported from the incident, though the property damage was extensive.

Cross-border escalation continues

The rocket attack comes amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese resistance group. Despite a ceasefire agreement that took effect in November 2024, Israel has continued to carry out airstrikes and maintain a ground offensive in southern Lebanon since a cross-border operation by Hezbollah on March 2. Hezbollah has responded by firing barrages of rockets into northern Israel, stating the attacks are retaliation for continued Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory as well as the killing of Iran's then-Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on Feb. 28. Lebanese authorities report that at least 1,368 people have been killed and 4,138 injured in Israeli attacks since the escalation began.