Rockets Fired Into Israel From South Lebanon

UN Urges Restraint After Rockets Fired Into Israel From South Lebanon

New York, Jan 8 2009 1:10PM

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has confirmed that at least three rockets were fired into Israel from south Lebanon, with Israeli forces returning fire, and called for maximum restraint following the attack, which comes amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

UNIFIL said the rockets fired into Israel came from the general area of Tayr Harfa in south Lebanon. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) returned fire with a few artillery rounds directed at the location from where the rockets originated.

The IDF meanwhile is continuing with the military operation it began on 27 December, with the stated aim of ending rocket and other attacks by militants in Gaza. The nearly two-week operation has reportedly led to some 680 deaths and injured more than 3,000.

UNIFIL Force Commander General Claudio Graziano is maintaining close contact with the parties and has called for maximum restraint in order to prevent any escalation of the situation.

The parties reassured the Force Commander about their continued commitment to maintain the cessation of hostilities, in accordance with Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hizbollah.

UNIFIL, in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces, has taken immediate measures to identify the perpetrators of the attack, for which no one has yet claimed responsibility.

Additional troops have been deployed on the ground and patrols have been intensified across UNIFIL’s area of operations to prevent any further incidents. The Lebanese Armed Forces has also decided to deploy additional units in the south in order to further enhance security in the area.

ENDS

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