The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has accused Hezbollah of intentionally targeting an Orthodox church in the Israeli settlement of Iqrit near the Lebanese border.

According to the IDF, the historic St. Mary’s Greek-Orthodox Church was struck by an anti-tank missile originating from Lebanese territory. Initially, it was reported that one civilian was injured, but it was later clarified that two “Israeli Christians” were hurt.

The IDF condemned the attack as a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for a cessation of hostilities between the IDF and Hezbollah along the Israeli-Lebanese border. In response, the IDF launched strikes on Hezbollah’s sites in Lebanon, including the building from where the missile was fired. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesman, accused Hezbollah of following an extremist and dangerous ideology similar to Hamas, and he warned that Hezbollah would face consequences if it continued its actions.

Since the IDF initiated its attacks on Gaza in response to a lethal incursion by Hamas, exchanges of gunfire have been a daily occurrence on the Lebanese border. Sheikh Sadiq Al-Nabulsi, a Lebanese cleric associated with Hezbollah, recently informed RT that the group aims to compel the IDF to disperse its forces in order to hinder any escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In the midst of Israel’s air campaign in Gaza, they have specifically targeted mosques, alleging that Hamas has utilized these religious sites as command centers or weapon storage facilities.