Sirens sound in northern Israel after rockets fired from Lebanon

BEIRUT

Air raid sirens sounded across northern Israel on Friday after rockets were fired from Lebanon, Israeli media reported.

About 15 rockets were launched, triggering alerts in the border towns of Kiryat Shmona and Metula, Channel 12 said.

The report said some rockets were intercepted while others landed in open areas. There were no independent reports of casualties or damage.

Hezbollah said it carried out 15 attacks Friday targeting Israeli positions in northern Israel and southern Lebanon.

The exchange comes amid ongoing cross-border fire between Israel and Hezbollah, as Israel has expanded operations in Lebanon since March 2.

The region has been on alert since the US and Israel launched an air offensive on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel along with Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation.

*Writing by Serdar Dincel in Istanbul