Israel Launches Airstrikes on Lebanon after Rocket Attacks

JERUSALEM - Israel launched at least two airstrikes on Lebanon, the most severe such strikes since 2006, after gunmen fired three rockets at Israel on Wednesday. At the same time, Israeli officials stepped up their rhetoric against Iran.

It was not clear who was behind the rocket fire from Lebanon into Israel, whether a Palestinian organization or the Shiite militant group Hezbollah, which is funded by Iran. But Israeli analysts say that even if Hezbollah was not behind the rocket fire, it is in control in south Lebanon and could have prevented it. Hezbollah's al-Manar TV said Israeli warplanes carried out two raids on the town of Mahmudiya, about 12 kilometers from the Israeli border. Israeli Brigadier General Nitzan Nuriel, the former head of Israel’s counterterrorism bureau, said it is more likely that it is Palestinians than Hezbollah.