4 rockets fired from Lebanon hit northern Israel

13^min

Four rockets fired from Lebanon have landed in northern Israel, causing no injuries, reports said.

Israeli Police spokeswoman Luba Samri said that initial reports indicated the two rockets landed Thursday in open fields, causing no damage. Authorities said a third apparently was shot down.

Witnesses reported hearing explosions and sirens wailing near the coastal city of Nahariya. Keinan Engel from Nahariya told Israel Radio that he heard the siren follow a loud boom nearby. The Israeli military said it was investigating.

According to the Israeli Army, the explosions were heard in uninhabited areas, mainly Nahariya and Acre, stressing that the rockets did not cause any damage.

The army explained that the Iron Dome Defense System intercepted one of the Katyusha rockets, while three crashed in uninhabited areas.

This as the Israeli army called on the residents of Nahariya and Acre to remain in safe places and shelters, declaring the closure of the airspace in Hayfa and northern Israel, while the IDF Northern Command held an emergency meeting to discuss the incident.

In Lebanon, the Lebanese Army said it has found the rocket launchers in the area located between the town of al-Houch and al-Rachidiya.

In the first reactions to the incident, Israeli officials accused the “Global Jihad” of firing the rockets, ruling out any possibility of the involvement of Hezbollah.

Also commenting on the incident, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that they will strike back at anyone who attempts to harm Israel.

For his part, Lebanese President Michel Sleiman denounced the rocket attacks, noting that they constitute a clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s sovereignty .

The Israel-Lebanon border has remained very quiet since Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas battled in a monthlong war in 2006. Sporadic incidents of rocket fire have taken place since.

Lebanon's state-run news agency reported three rockets were fired from the village of Housh, Tyre, south Lebanon. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

AP/LBCI

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