Hezbollah Claims Rocket, Drone Strike On Israeli Missile Defence Site Near Haifa

ISTANBUL, March 2 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Hezbollah said Monday that it carried out a rocket barrage and drone attack from southern Lebanon targeting an Israeli missile defence site south of the city of Haifa, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

In a statement, the Lebanese group said the strike targeted the Mishmar HaCarmel air defence site shortly after midnight.

Hezbollah described the operation as a “legitimate defensive response” and said continued Israeli attacks and assassinations justified retaliation, urging officials to halt what it called US-Israeli aggression.

It said it was carried out in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and that continued Israeli attacks and assassinations justified retaliation.

The group urged the responsible parties to halt US-Israeli aggression against Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Monday that rocket launches from southern Lebanon were an “irresponsible and suspicious act” that endangers the country’s security and gives Israel pretexts to continue its attacks.

Salam said that whoever is behind it, the launches threaten Lebanon’s safety and stability.

He added that Lebanon “will not allow the country to be dragged into new adventures” and that authorities will take all necessary measures to identify those responsible and protect the Lebanese people.

The remarks came after the Hezbollah group earlier claimed responsibility for launching rockets and drones from southern Lebanon toward northern Israel, saying the attack targeted an Israeli missile defence site near Haifa.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU