Lebanese Army Arrests Suspects Linked to Rocket Attack against Israel
The Lebanese army arrested a number of suspects linked to the firing of rockets towards Israel.
Israel on Friday launched the broadest attack against Lebanon since the November ceasefire in retaliation to the firing of rockets from Lebanese territories. Israel responded by striking Beirut's southern suburbs, known as Dahiyeh – a Hezbollah stronghold.
The army said it arrested a number of people, including Lebanese and Palestinian nationals, on suspicion of launching the rockets.
Nearly a week earlier, Israel attacked southern Lebanon following similar rocket launches from the South.
Hezbollah has denied having any links to both rocket attacks, while the Lebanese government has vowed to arrest the suspects.
A security source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the army has kicked off an investigation with the detainees.
The military has reached leads that will take it to the party behind the attack, another security source told Al Arabiya television.
Army Commander Rodolphe Haikal inspected on Saturday troops deployed south of the Litani River, underscoring their 'role in serving the nation and its perseverance.'
'The military institution is tasked with protecting Lebanon and its people regardless of their affiliations,' he stressed.
The launching of rockets from Lebanon towards Israel only serves the enemy, he declared, saying the military is carrying out the necessary investigations to uncover the culprits.
Moreover, he stated that the only hurdle to the Lebanese army's permanent deployment in the South and consolidation of the ceasefire is the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories and its repeated violations of the nation's sovereignty.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued to hold Lebanon responsible for the attacks.
He stressed that Israel will be 'uncompromising' towards violations and that he has instructed the security minister and army to act accordingly.
'Lebanon is responsible for what is being launched from its territory, and it must ensure that no attacks are carried out against Israel,' he demanded.
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