JERUSALEM, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Friday that Israel would escalate strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs if cross-border attacks persisted, following Israeli airstrikes targeting a Hezbollah-linked site near the Lebanese capital.

"We will return the fighting to Dahieh if Hezbollah continues to threaten the Galilee," Katz said in a statement, referencing the Beirut suburb and northern Israeli communities.

He added a direct message to Lebanon's government: "If you don't enforce the ceasefire, we will."

The Israeli military said it struck a building in Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold, early Friday, calling it a "drone storage facility" operated by the Iran-backed Shiite militant group.

The attack marked the first Israeli strike on Beirut since a ceasefire taking effect on Nov. 27, 2023, halted intense cross-border exchanges.

Prior to the strike, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued evacuation warnings via social media, urging civilians within a 300-meter radius to leave the area.

Lebanese health officials reported additional Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Friday, killing two people and wounding 21 in Kfar Tebnit and Yahmar.

The escalation followed rocket fire from Lebanon into northern Israel earlier in the day. The IDF said two rockets were launched toward the city of Kiryat Shmona and Galilee villages, with one intercepted and the other landing in Lebanese territory. No casualties or damage were reported in Israel.

The IDF condemned the rocket fire as a "blatant violation" of ceasefire agreements and asserted that Lebanon's government bore responsibility for preventing such attacks.

The IDF vowed to "continue operating against any threat to Israeli civilians," signaling potential further retaliation.

A senior Hezbollah official told Lebanese broadcaster Al-Mayadeen that the group was not responsible for the rocket fire.

Israel maintains forces at five border positions, missing a February 2025 withdrawal deadline, and continues strikes it says are aimed at countering "Hezbollah threats." Hezbollah maintains it adheres to the truce and accuses Israel of fabricating pretexts for attacks.

Also on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron, during a press conference with visiting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in Paris, said he would speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the coming days. He emphasized that "at this stage, no activity can justify today's Israeli strikes," calling them a violation of the ceasefire. Enditem

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