Alarm sirens sounded over northern Israel on Friday, as a barrage of rockets was fired from Lebanese territory, the Israeli military said.
"More than ten rockets were fired from Lebanese territory into Israel", the IDF said in a statement, adding that most of them were intercepted.
In response, the IDF has started shelling southern Lebanon, according to Reuters, citing Israeli military radio.
Israel's Iron Dome aerial defence system is launched to intercept rockets launched from the Gaza Strip, above the southern Israeli city of Sderot, on May 18, 2021.
© AFP 2023 / MENAHEM KAHANA
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was informed about the situation and will hold consultations with the military, the PM's office said.
"Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has been informed of what is happening in the north. In the near future, the prime minister will hold consultations with the defence minister, the chief of general staff and high-ranking representatives of the defence department", the statement read.
The UN peacekeeping force stated that the situation is serious and urged both sides to cease fire across the border.
Videos purportedly depicting the escalation in the area have since been shared online.
Previously, Bennett warned that Israel "won't allow anyone to harm its sovereignty and security", saying that people trying to harm Israel will pay "a painful price".
Israel and Lebanon have a long history of strained relations, including a major conflict in 2006, when the IDF and Lebanon-based Shia militant group Hezbollah clashed in a 34-day war. The two sides have since exchanged fire multiple times, with the Israeli Air Force hitting Hezbollah targets, and the militants launching rocket strikes.