Israeli army hits targets in Lebanon

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) – The Israeli army on Monday confirmed hitting several targets in Lebanon by using its combat helicopters.

The Israeli army statement, however, did not provide further details on the nature of the targets it hit.

The Israeli airstrikes on Lebanese targets come after the infiltration of several gunmen into northern Israel from Lebanon.

The Israeli army said earlier that its troops managed to kill several armed infiltrators.

Meanwhile, Lebanese army chief Joseph Aoun and Commander of the UN peacekeeping mission (UNIFIL) Aroldo Lazaro discussed the situation across the Lebanese southern borders, according to Lebanon's official news agency NNA.

No further details were given about the meeting that took place in Beirut.

The situation on the border areas between Israel and Lebanon remains dangerous, as the fighting between Israel and the Palestinian groups in Gaza intensifies.

The Gaza-based resistance group Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood against Israel early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets. It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and increased settler violence.

In retaliation, the Israeli army launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The number of Palestinians killed by the Israeli forces in Gaza has risen to 560, the Gaza-based Health Ministry said on Monday amid ongoing fighting. It also said the number of injured people surged to 2,900.

At least 800 Israelis have been killed and over 2,300 others wounded in the fighting, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.