BEIRUT (AP) — The militant Hezbollah group has fired a barrage of rockets at Israel, and Israel has hit back with artillery in a significant escalation between the two sides. It was the third day of attacks along the volatile border with Lebanon, a major Middle East flashpoint. But comments by Israeli officials and Hezbollah’s actions suggested the two sides were seeking to avoid a major conflict this time. Israel said it fired back after 19 rockets were launched from Lebanon. Hezbollah said in a statement that it hit “open fields” in the disputed Shebaa farms area, calling it retaliation for Israeli airstrikes the day before. Israel said those strikes were in response to rocket fire from southern Lebanon that was not claimed by any group.
Hezbollah, Israel trade fire in dangerous Mideast escalation
