The Israeli military and Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, have been engaged in exchanges of fire along Lebanon’s southern border alongside the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Recent escalations have raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional war.
Israeli attacks on the southern Lebanese towns of Mays al-Jabal and Tayr Harfa on Friday resulted in the deaths of four Hezbollah fighters, as confirmed by the group’s death notices and a security source. Another fighter was killed in a separate strike near Aitarun, although it was not immediately confirmed if he was affiliated with Hezbollah.
Additionally, an Israeli strike on the village of Aita, about 14 km north of the Israeli border, killed a Hezbollah fighter and a child. Hezbollah identified the deceased fighter as Mohammad Najem.
The Israeli military stated online that Najem was targeted in Aita due to his role in Hezbollah’s rocket and missile unit. They also reported targeting two other Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon.
According to the Israeli military, “a number of projectiles fired from Lebanese territory” had crossed into northern Israel, but no injuries were reported. Hezbollah’s press office confirmed that the group had retaliated with rockets and artillery fire against various Israeli military positions throughout the day.
Since the clashes began last October, more than 600 people have been killed in Lebanon, including over 400 Hezbollah fighters and more than 130 civilians, according to a Reuters tally.
