Rockets fired into Israel from Lebanon

Several rockets were on Thursday fired into Israel from the Lebanese territory, where Hezbollah was known to operate, but a UN investigation is yet to find out whether the militant group was trying to open a new front in the Gaza conflict.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) also fired two rounds of artillery in return, however the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said there were no reports of damage or injuries from the cross-border firing.

Diplomats said it was not yet clear whether the Islamist militants were trying to open a new front to relieve pressure on Gaza or these were just isolated incidents as there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the firing of the rockets in Israel.

UNIFIL, in cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces, is currently investigating on the ground close to the northern boundary of its Area of Operations in the Eastern Sector, to locate the launching site of the rocket fire.

The incident comes as the IDF continues the military operation it launched in Gaza on December 27 with the stated aim of ending rocket and other attacks by militants in the Strip.

UNIFIL Force Commander Major-General Claudio Graziano once again yesterday urged maximum restraint and is working with both parties to maintain the cessation of hostilities, the world body said.

A joint UNIFIL-Lebanese patrol, during a search operation in the general area of El Hebbariye after today's rocket fire, discovered three live rockets prepared for launch and deactivated them on the spot.

The two groups are continuing intensive patrolling and search throughout the area.