Israeli strikes targets in southern Lebanon

Beirut, August 5 (RHC)-- Israeli forces have launched a series of airstrikes on Lebanese territory, calling them retaliation for cross-border rocket attacks after earlier firing scores of artillery rounds in response.

The Israeli military confirmed the strikes early on Thursday morning, saying the overnight sorties targeted “infrastructure used for terrorism” and rocket sites, vowing to “continue and even intensify” its operations in Lebanon.  Video footage has circulated online purporting to show the Israeli airstrikes in progress.

Thursday’s airstrikes mark the Israeli military's fourth round of operations in southern Lebanon over the last 24 hours, according to the Jerusalem Post, which reported that “over 100” artillery shells were fired into the country in response.  The military released footage of the earlier shelling.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he and his Defense Minister Benny Gantz had been briefed on the situation and would oversee the operations.