The Israeli army said today it was conducting strikes on southern Lebanon after a mortar launched from its northern neighbour exploded in the border area between the two foes.

“In response, the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) is currently striking the area from which the launch was carried out in Lebanese territory,” an army statement said.

Lebanon’s official ANI news agency said Israel had fired “more than 15 artillery shells” which hit around the communities of Kfar Chouba and Halta.

The two countries are still technically at war, and peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon patrol the border between the two neighbours.

The latest cross-border fire comes after Israel bombarded Lebanon in April, in response to a barrage of rockets fired from the country. – AFP,  July 6, 2023.