Rockets launched by Hezbollah militants have hit a church and school in a Christian-majority village in Lebanon, according to local media and the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).

Saint George’s Orthodox Church in Jdeidet Marjayoun, southern Lebanon, suffered damage to its roof after being struck on Friday. One cross has been knocked off the building while another remains standing, as seen in pictures shared by the IDF. 

Another rocket landed in the complex of Sacred Hearts Secondary School, according to MTV Lebanon. The channel reported of panic among local residents as the rockets landed in residential areas, who have called for military action to be kept away from civilians.

The IDF has stated that troops were not operating in the area, sharing its own footage of multiple missiles falling onto the village. 

George Deek, Israeli special envoy to the Christian world, said it demonstrates “Hezbollah’s own war endangers Lebanon’s own Christian communities”. 

Israeli forces have expanded a ground offensive in Lebanon, in response to the Iran-backed group increasing attacks on troops and communities along the border.