Rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel sparking concern about whether the fragile ceasefire​ with the militant group would hold.

By Maya Gebeily and Maayan Lubell BEIRUT/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israeli artillery and airstrikes hit south Lebanon on Saturday after Israel said it had intercepted rockets fired from across the border,

Israel struck Lebanon in retaliation for rockets targeting Israel, in the heaviest exchange of fire since the ceasefire with Hezbollah.

The government of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voted to dismiss Ronen Bar, the chief of Israel’s Shin Bet internal security service.

The Israeli government unanimously approved early on Friday a proposal from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to dismiss Shin Bet head Ronen Bar, the prime minister's office said. "Ronen Bar will conclude his duties on April 10 or when a permanent ISA Director is appointed – whichever comes first,

Israel’s defense minister has ordered the military to take additional parts of the Gaza Strip, and vowed to hold them until Hamas releases the remaining hostages it holds.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Friday the army was intensifying strikes from the air, land and sea in Gaza to pressure Hamas into freeing remaining hostages, and would also evacuate civilians to the south of the enclave.

Israeli Defense Minister Katz told Hamas that the IDF would take "permanent" and "annexed" control of parts of the Gaza Strip unless the hostages were freed.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar amid mass protests against the move and Israel’s resumption of hostilities in Gaza.

Benjamin Netanyahu cited Shin Bet's failure to anticipate the 7 October attack - but the move sparked outrage and protests.

Israelis have condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to resume the war in Gaza and dismiss the head of Israel's internal security service. On Thursday night, protesters marched in Jerusalem to protest Netanyahu's dismissal of Ronen Bar,