Rocket alarm sirens sounded in areas of Israel on Saturday as Hezbollah militants in Lebanon launched hundreds of attacks across the border on the most sacred Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur.
The Israeli army said the Iran-backed militia fired around 320 missiles and drones. Most were intercepted by air defence systems, while others fell over open terrain.
Two Israelis suffered minor injuries from shrapnel near the northern city of Acre, local media reported.
Alarms wailed in Haifa after two drones were launched toward the port city. Both aircraft were intercepted, the Israeli military said.
Other parts of northern Israel also came under fire, with Hezbollah claiming responsibility for several of the attacks.
Since Friday evening, people in Israel have been observing Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement. The faithful fast and hope for the forgiveness of their sins. Most TV and radio stations stop their broadcasts and shops, cinemas, bars and restaurants are closed.
Apart from police vehicles and emergency services, no cars are driven on the holiday. As a result, many people across the country are on the roads and even motorways on bicycles, e-scooters and on foot.
Israel’s 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 killed on September 27.
Hezbollah, for its part, has also expanded its attacks. While it previously only fired on 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, marking the fifth troop member to be injured in the span of two days.
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said on Saturday that the incident took place on Friday night at the mission’s headquarters in Naqoura.
“Last night, a peacekeeper at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura was hit by gunfire due to ongoing military activity nearby,” 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 originated from.
In a further incident, a building at a UN position in Ramyah, east of Naqoura, was severely damaged by nearby explosions and shelling.
The Israel military admitted responsibility for the four peacekeepers injured in two other incidents on Thursday and Friday. The military said it was going after Hezbollah militants who had positioned themselves near UNIFIL posts.
Report: Israel hits market in Nabatieh
Elsewhere on Saturday, the state-run Lebanese news agency NNA reported that Israeli fighter jets attacked a market in the city of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.
Videos circulated on social media that purported to show the aftermath of the attack, including a large fire in a destroyed commercial area and rescue workers next to rubble.
The Israeli military has not commented on the attack, but local media reported severe damage, with at least four buildings destroyed. There was initially no information about possible casualties.
Nabatieh is a key commercial centre in southern Lebanon. The city was a battleground during Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982.
Since the massive escalation of attacks in the country around three weeks ago, Israel’s military has been hitting the city again. Many residents have fled north.
