Israeli army claims intercepting surface-to-air missile fired from Lebanon

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli army on Wednesday said its air defense intercepted a surface-to-air missile that was fired from the Lebanese territory.

The Israeli Army Radio quoted the army's spokesman Daniel Hagari as saying the missile from Lebanon was fired against an Israeli army drone.

He added that the Israeli drone was not damaged and that another Israeli aircraft struck the source of the missile firing in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese side, especially the Hezbollah group, did not comment on the Israeli claim.

The Israeli Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said the attempt to target an Israeli drone from Lebanon is the first since the outbreak of clashes on the Israeli-Lebanese borders two weeks ago.

Lebanese group Hezbollah and the Israeli army have intermittently exchanged fire since the fighting broke out in Gaza on Oct. 7.

The conflict in Gaza began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack on Oct. 7 that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

More than 7,900 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 6,546 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been running out of food, water, medicine, and fuel, and aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara