MAJOR ESCALATION: Heavy Rocket-Fire Targets Israel From Lebanon and Gaza. Israel Strikes Gaza

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Israel strikes Gaza after rocket fire from Lebanon

The Israeli military began striking Gaza overnight Thursday into Friday local time after a barrage of rockets was fired from Lebanon toward northern Israel.

The big picture: It's the most serious escalation between Lebanon and Israel since the 2006 war. An IDF spokesperson claimed the rockets came from Hamas militants in Lebanon. Hamas has not commented on the attack.

• The escalation comes a day after a violent confrontation between the Israeli police and Palestinian worshipers at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during a police raid at the compound. That violence came despite efforts to de-escalate tensions during Ramadan. The Israeli police raid prompted immediate condemnation by several Arab countries.

• Thursday's rocket attack also took place as tens of thousands of Israelis were celebrating Passover in northern Israel.

State of play: The rockets launched from Lebanon were fired around 3pm local time.

Massive rocket barrage fired from Lebanon into Israel on Passover

One Israeli injured by shrapnel, another while seeking shelter • Netanyahu to convene security cabinet this evening with top IDF officials

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded his security cabinet meeting in the early hours of Friday morning, amid a new barrage of rocket fire from Gaza. 

At the meeting's conclusion, according to Army Radio, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said: "[We are] prepared for the various possibilities - we will know how to act against any threat." 

Passover rocket attacks

Rocket sirens sounded across northern Israel on Thursday afternoon, during the Passover holiday, amid a barrage of rocket attacks launched across the northern border with Lebanon, the IDF confirmed.

LIVE UPDATES

Rocket sirens heard in southern Israel as PM concludes meeting

Netanyahu's security cabinet meeting concluded in the early hours of Friday morning • IDF examining potential Iranian involvement in barrage attributed to Hamas

IDF: Hamas factions fired Lebanon rocket barrage, Iran involvement possible

Even though the barrage into Israel was fired from Hezbollah-controlled southern Lebanon, sources indicate that Palestinian groups may be to blame.

Palestinian factions belonging to Hamas in Lebanon are responsible for the barrage of 34 rockets fired from Lebanon into Israel on Thursday afternoon, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari confirmed.

"We are in an event with multiple theaters, but a single organization - the Palestinian factions of Hamas are shooting from Lebanon. Iranian involvement is also being examined. The state of Lebanon carries responsibility when shots are fired from within it," Hagari said.

Are Iran, Hezbollah risking direct confrontation with Israel? - analysis

While neither may be directly responsible for the rocket attacks, Hezbollah controls southern Lebanon and attacks from there are linked to the wider threat in the North.

As tensions grow between Israel and Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas, there is an increased chance of escalation on various fronts. A barrage of rockets was fired at communities on Thursday across the Western Galilee near the Lebanese border.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant was briefed on recent security events on the northern border and gave initial directives to the chief of staff and the wider defense establishment. The attacks on the Galilee are a major escalation, not seen since the May 2021 war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

The overall context is that Hezbollah and Iran appear willing to take more risks in their confrontation with Israel. While neither of them may be directly responsible for the rocket attacks, Hezbollah controls southern Lebanon, and attacks from there are linked to the wider threat from the two across the North.

LIVE UPDATES: UN Troops on Alert After Rockets From Lebanon Hit Israeli Soil - Source

UN peacekeepers in Lebanon were put on alert on Thursday after a rocket salvo fired from the country’s territory struck northern Israel, a source at the mission told Sputnik.

"Overall, we are on high alert. There is no information at the moment as to who fired the rockets," the source with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said.

UNIFIL head Aroldo Lazaro said he was in contact with both Israeli and Lebanese authorities. The UN mission warned that the situation was "extremely serious" and urged everyone to avoid further escalation.

US condemns Lebanon rocket barrage, China and UN express concern

China 'concerned' about heightened tension between Israel and the Palestinians • US: We urge all sides to avoid further escalation

WASHINGTON - The United States condemned on Thursday the recent rocket barrage at Israel's North from southern Lebanon.

"Our commitment to Israel’s security remains ironclad. We recognize Israel’s legitimate right to defend its people and territory against all forms of aggression," said an NSC Spokesperson.

"Using Lebanon as a launchpad for rocket attacks against Israel only puts the Lebanese people at risk and increases the potential for further instability in the country," the spokesperson added.