At least 34 rockets launched from Lebanon into Israel during first day of Passover

At least 34 rockets were fired from southern Lebanon into Israel on Thursday after the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah denounced an Israeli police raid on Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque and pledged to take “all measures … to deter the enemy.”

Israeli officials say that just five of the rockets made it past the Jewish state’s Iron Dome defense system, with two injuries reported — the largest attack from the north since 2006 when Hezbollah fired thousands of rockets into Israel during a 34-day conflict.

The Galilee Medical Center said it was treating a 26-year-old man hit by shrapnel while on a motorcycle and a 19-year-old man hit by shrapnel while driving.

The attacks on the first day of Passover are also one of the largest since August 2021, when Hezbollah

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed of the attack and plans to meet with his high-level security cabinet, his office said. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has reportedly “given initial directives” to IDF chief Herzi Halevi following the rocket attacks from Lebanon.

At least 34 rockets were fired from southern Lebanon into Israel on Thursday. Twitter/@manniefabian Israeli officials say this is “the largest attack from the north since 2006.” Twitter/@manniefabian The rockets come after the Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah denounced an Israeli police raid on Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque. AFP via Getty Images

The Israel Defense Forces have not yet formally confirmed the total number of rockets launched in Thursday’s attack, and said the Iron Dome intercepted at least 25 of the projectiles.

Hezbollah, which the US designated as a foreign terrorist organization in 1997, has kept up its rocket attacks on Israel for nearly two decades after the IDF withdrew from southern Lebanon.

Tensions escalated again following clashes at the Temple Mount on Tuesday night between Palestinians and Israeli police — prompting denunciations from Hezbollah and rocket attacks from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Israeli officials say that just five of the rockets made it past the Jewish state’s Iron Dome defense system, with one injury reported.AFP via Getty Images Israeli police escort Jewish visitors to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, following an overnight raid of the site. AP

“Hezbollah forcefully denounces the assault carried out by the Israeli occupation forces against the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and its attacks on the faithful,” the group said in a statement.

“Hezbollah proclaims its full solidarity with the Palestinian people and the resistance groups, and pledges that it will stand with them in all measures they take to protect worshipers and the Al-Aqsa Mosque and to deter the enemy from continuing its attacks.”

Hamas, which fought an 11-day war against Israel in 2021, also maintains close ties with Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to meet with his high-level security cabinet, his office said. AP The Israel Defense Forces have not yet formally confirmed the total number of rockets launched in the attack. AP

Militants in Gaza fired another round of rockets early Thursday morning into Israel, according to the latter’s military, which has returned fire on targets in the Strip.

The clashes at Al-Aqsa came after Muslims tried to barricade themselves inside the mosque overnight during the holy month of Ramadan.

Israeli police on Tuesday night forced their way in to evict the worshipers, some of whom were armed with firecrackers, clubs and rocks.

The Temple Mount, where Al-Aqsa mosque is located, is the holiest site in Judaism as the former location of ancient temples.