Israel launches rare airstrikes in Lebanon following violence at Jerusalem holy site

The Israeli military did not provide information about its intended targets in Lebanon

The Israeli military launched rare airstrikes into Lebanon early Friday morning, just hours after it struck opposition targets in the Gaza Strip.

Both series of attacks were in retaliation after Palestinian militants in Gaza fired rockets into southern Israel. Later, another volley of rockets was fired from Lebanon into Northern Israel.

The rocket fire further escalated from initial violence at a Jerusalem holy site this week.

The Israeli military did not provide information about its intended targets in Lebanon but said it targeted tunnels and weapon sites in the Gaza Strip.

A Lebanese TV station reported explosions in the southern port city of Tyre. The town is located about 20 miles from Israel’s northern border.

The Israeli military did not provide any further details.

The current round of violence began Wednesday during an incident at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, where hundreds of worshipers gathered.

Israel’s police said agitators used rocks and fireworks, causing a disturbance at the site. They also barricaded themselves in the structure, police said.