UPDATE - 19 Israelis injured as rocket from Lebanon hits building in central Israel

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Anadolu staff

At least 19 Israelis were injured after a rocket launched from Lebanon hit a building in the Israeli town of Tira on Saturday, according to first responders.

The Israeli army reported that sirens sounded in the Sharon and Dan regions as three rockets fired from Lebanon entered Israeli airspace. While interception attempts were made, one of the rockets breached defenses and caused injuries on impact.

The army also said that 10 rockets had been launched from Lebanon toward the Haifa Bay and Galilee regions in northern Israel. Some were intercepted, while others fell in open areas.

Separately, the army reported that a drone launched from Lebanon struck a factory in the western Galilee region of northern Israel after Israeli helicopters and fighter jets were unable to intercept it for nearly 40 minutes.

Israeli Army Radio stated that three to four drones had crossed into northern Israel from Lebanon, with one reaching the skies over the Ramat David Airbase southeast of Haifa.

According to Israel Hayom newspaper, the drone that hit the factory in Akhziv caused significant structural damage, though no injuries were reported.

Hezbollah has not claimed responsibility for the drones, although the group has regularly launched missiles, drones, and artillery targeting military sites and settlements within Israel.

Israel escalated its air campaign in Lebanon since September against what it claims are Hezbollah targets in an escalation from year-long cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip.

Nearly 2,900 people have been killed and more than 13,000 injured in Israeli attacks since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict by launching an incursion into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi