Israel bombs Lebanon
Reuters

Israeli jets have bombarded a "terrorist" target on the outskirts of Beirut following a rocket attack from Lebanon.

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the air raid on insurgent camps near the coastal town of al-Naameh in the south of Beirut.

The casualty figures in the Israeli attack are still unclear, but the pilots of the Israeli jet claimed they hit their intended target.

"In response to rocket fire at the north [on Thursday] afternoon, IAF aircraft struck a terrorist target south of Beirut overnight. At this hour, in which our planes returned safely, I wish a good and quiet morning to all residents of Israel and especially residents of the north and those travelling there," the IDF said in a statement.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, a Palestinian militant outfit, said its base was targeted by the Israeli airstrike, but claimed no significant damage was done by the attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his determination to launch more attacks.

"We are deploying a wide range of means, both defensive and preventative. We are acting responsibly. Anyone who attacks us, or tries to attack us, should know that we will get him," Netanyahu said in a statement.

Earlier, four rockets were fired into northern Israel breaching the powerful anti-missile Iron Dome batteries deployed in sensitive areas. No casualties have been reported although two rockets are said to have caused damage.

The attack was believed to have been carried out by Abdullah Azzam Brigades, an al-Qaida-backed Sunni regional militant group. Normally, rockets against Israel emerge from the Shiite Lebanese outfit Hezbollah.

"Yesterday's attack is a blatant breach on Israeli sovereignty that jeopardised Israeli civilian life. Israel will not tolerate terrorist aggression originating from Lebanese territory," said the IDF.

Hezbollah has neither supported nor condemned the attack on Israel.

The Israeli forces held the Lebanese government responsible for the attack despite condemnation by leaders in Beirut.

Denouncing the attack, the Lebanese army has initiated an investigation into the incident.

"The rocket incident is a clear attempt to destabilise the security situation in the south and again turn Lebanon into an arena to settle [regional] conflicts and send messages in this or that direction," said caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

Israel