A rocket barrage was launched from southern Lebanon toward Israel early Sunday, according to media reports. Israeli Channel 14 reported that at least 50 rockets were fired toward the Upper Galilee, triggering sirens across the region. Hamas and Iran have vowed to retaliate for the assassination of the group's political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh earlier this week in Tehran, while Hezbollah pledged to respond to the killing of its commander, Faud Shukr, in Beirut. Fears have grown about a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah amid a months-long exchange of cross-border fire. The escalation comes against the backdrop of an Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which has resulted in nearly 40,000 deaths since October, following an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas. — Agencies
