Hezbollah Strikes Back After Israeli Attack Kills 3 Civil Defense Members

Hezbollah declared on Sunday that it had carried out two rocket attacks on the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona, along with another attack on the Shamir settlement, as a reprisal for what it referred to as the “massacre” in the southern Lebanese town of Froun. This attack resulted in the deaths of three members of the Lebanese Civil Defense and injuries to two others.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported that on Saturday, an Israeli assault on Froun led to three emergency responders being killed and two injured, with one in critical condition. According to the ministry, the attack targeted a Lebanese civil defense team that was addressing fires caused by previous Israeli strikes. In contrast, the Israeli military claimed it had targeted members of the Hezbollah-aligned Amal Movement, labeling them as terrorists.

Following the attack, Lebanon’s civil defense organization confirmed the death of three of its workers, stating they were struck by Israeli forces while in a firefighting vehicle after completing their duties.

Najib Mikati, Lebanon’s Caretaker Prime Minister, denounced the Israeli action, describing it as a severe breach of international laws and human values.

On Sunday morning, the Israeli military announced it had executed air strikes on Hezbollah military sites and had intercepted missiles fired from Lebanon overnight.

Regarding the incident on Saturday in Froun, the Israeli military indicated that it had attacked and killed Amal members who were embedded within a Hezbollah military setup. The Amal movement disclosed that two of its members, who were also part of the Lebanese Civil Defense, were among those killed while fulfilling their duties in defense of Lebanon.

The Lebanese Health Ministry sharply criticized the attack, noting it was directed at an official Lebanese state team, marking the second such attack on emergency teams within 12 hours.

On the same day, the ministry detailed an earlier incident where two members of the Hezbollah-affiliated Islamic Health Committee were injured due to an Israeli attack aimed at a site near a fire they were en route to extinguish in Qabrikha.

In response to Israeli actions in south Lebanon, Hezbollah had earlier launched multiple attacks on Israeli forces, utilizing Katyusha rockets and drones loaded with explosives.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in approximately 614 fatalities in Lebanon, predominantly combatants, but also including 138 civilians, as per an AFP count. On the Israeli side, including the Golan Heights, there have been at least 50 deaths, comprising both soldiers and civilians.

Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad highlighted that Israeli aggression had resulted in the deaths of 27 emergency and health workers, with 94 others injured since October. He also reported that two hospitals and 21 health facilities had been attacked, and 32 emergency vehicles had been damaged or disabled, calling for a cessation of the targeting of health workers and civilians.