The Israeli army announced the start of the first wave of airstrikes on southern Lebanon following the launch of three rockets at the Israeli border town of Metula on Saturday morning.

The army stated that it targeted several Hezbollah positions in the area. Israeli artillery also hit the village of Markaba and other regions of southern Lebanon shortly after the rocket fire.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized that Beirut and Metula would be treated the same, holding the Lebanese government fully responsible for any gunfire from its territory.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned attempts to drag Lebanon back into a cycle of violence, while Hezbollah denied any involvement in the rocket launches.