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Hezbollah escalates tensions with Israel. Photo/Reuters
GAZA – The Hezbollah fighter group in Lebanon said they fired more than 60 rockets at an Israeli military base in response to the killing of Hamas’ deputy leader in Beirut.
The Israeli army confirmed heavy fire targeting northern Israel. The military said it responded by attacking a “cell of Hezbollah fighters” who took part in the launch.
There have been no reports of casualties or damage.
Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group have traded fire since the war in Gaza began in October last year. Violence mostly occurs in border areas.
Hezbollah’s attack on Israeli territory was a response to the murder of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut.
Speaking in a televised address for the second time in less than a week, Hassan Nasrallah reiterated that Hezbollah “cannot remain silent about violations of this level”.
“The killing of al-Arouri… will of course not happen without repercussions and punishment,” he added.
Al-Arouri was killed in a suspected Israeli attack on the southern outskirts of Beirut on Tuesday, which is a Hezbollah stronghold.
Nasrallah’s comments came as Lebanon filed a complaint with the UN Security Council over al-Arouri’s killing, calling it the “most dangerous phase” of Israel’s offensive against the country.
The complaint said Israel used six missiles in the attack that killed al-Arouri and added that Israel used Lebanese airspace to bomb Syria, Reuters news agency said, citing documents dated January 4.