Rocket sirens sounded in areas of Israel on Saturday as Hezbollah militants in Lebanon launched hundreds of attacks across the border on the holiest Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur.
The Israeli military said the Iran-backed militia fired about 320 rockets and drones. Most were intercepted by air defense systems, while others fell over open terrain.
Two Israelis were slightly injured by shrapnel near the northern city of Acre, local media reported.
Alarms sounded in Haifa after two drones were launched towards the port city. Both planes were intercepted, the Israeli military said.
Other parts of northern Israel also came under fire, with Hezbollah claiming responsibility for several attacks.
Since Friday evening, people in Israel have been celebrating Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The believers fast and hope for forgiveness of their sins. Most TV and radio stations halt their broadcasts and shops, cinemas, bars and restaurants are closed.
Except for police vehicles and emergency services, no cars are driven during the holiday. As a result, many people across the country are on bicycles, e-scooters and on foot on the roads and even highways.
The Israeli army has significantly intensified its fight against the Shiite Hezbollah militia since last month, including massive airstrikes and a ground offensive in Lebanon. The group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was assassinated on September 27.
Hezbollah, in turn, has also expanded its attacks. Although it previously only targeted areas near the border in northern Israel, it is now also targeting Haifa and the greater Tel Aviv area.
UN: Unknown gunfire wounds fifth peacekeeper in Lebanon
Another UN peacekeeper was injured by gunfire at the force’s headquarters in southern Lebanon, the fifth troop member to be injured in two days.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Saturday that the incident took place on Friday evening at the mission’s headquarters in Naqoura.
“Last night, a peacekeeper at UNIFIL headquarters in Naqoura was struck by gunfire as a result of ongoing military activities in the area,” a UNIFIL statement said.
“He underwent surgery at our Naqoura Hospital to remove the bullet and is currently stable.”
UNIFIL said it did not yet know where the gunfire came from.
In another incident, a building at a UN position in Ramyah, east of Naqoura, was seriously damaged by nearby explosions and shelling.
The Israeli military has acknowledged responsibility for four peacekeepers injured in two other incidents on Thursday and Friday. The army said it was going after Hezbollah militants who had set up near UNIFIL posts.
Report: Israel enters Nabatieh market
Elsewhere on Saturday, the state-run Lebanese news agency NNA reported that Israeli fighter jets had attacked a market in the town of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.
Videos circulating on social media purportedly showed the aftermath of the attack, including a large fire in a destroyed commercial area and rescuers standing next to the rubble.
The Israeli military did not comment on the attack, but local media reported severe damage, with at least four buildings destroyed. There was initially no information about possible victims.
Nabatieh is an important commercial center in southern Lebanon. The city was a battlefield during the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982.
Since the massive escalation of attacks in the country about three weeks ago, the Israeli army has again hit the city. Many residents have fled to the north.
