UPDATE 2 - 3 Israelis injured in rocket barrage from Lebanon amid escalation

UPDATES NUMBER OF ROCKETS; CHANGES DECK

By Zein Khalil

JERUSALEM (AA) – Three Israelis were injured in a new rocket barrage from Lebanon on Sunday as escalation continues to rise between Israel and Hezbollah, Israeli media said.

A military statement said 30 rockets were fired from Lebanese territory into the Galilee region in northern Israel, triggering air-raid sirens in the area.

The army said eight more rockets were launched toward the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, with most of the projectiles intercepted while others impacted open areas.

Israel's Hayom newspaper said a rocket hit a factory in Ma'alot Tarshiha in Western Galilee, causing damage. A woman also sustained light injuries from rocket shrapnel in the area.

Two more Israelis were injured after a rocket struck a building in Petah Tikva, east of Tel Aviv, according to Channel 12.

The attack led to a temporary halt in flights at Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel, the public broadcaster KAN reported.

Later, Channel 14 reported that about 250 rockets in total were launched at northern Israel from Lebanon.

It said "sirens were activated in hundreds of cities and towns following the heavy barrage of rockets being fired one after another from Lebanon to Israel.”

Lebanese group Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it targeted Ma'alot Tarshiha with a barrage of rockets.

Israel has engaged in cross-border warfare with Lebanon, launching an air campaign in late September against what it claims are Hezbollah targets.

More than 3,600 victims have been killed by Israeli attacks in Lebanon, with more than 15,300 injured and over 1 million displaced since last October, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Tel Aviv expanded the conflict by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon on Oct. 1.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi and Rania Abu Shamala