BEIRUT: An Israeli air strike on a car in south Lebanon on Saturday killed three Hezbollah fighters, a security source said, the latest in almost five months of escalating cross-border fire between the resistance group and Israel, AFP reported.
The strike occurred on the road to Naqura, a coastal town near the Israeli border, with Lebanon’s National News Agency reporting that an “enemy drone” carried out the attack. Ambulances immediately responded to the scene.
Hezbollah, in separate statements, announced the deaths of three of its fighters, referring to them as “martyred on the road to Jerusalem.” The phrase is commonly used by the group to symbolize members killed by Israeli actions.
Israel Targets Hezbollah Fighters
The Israeli military stated that its aircraft targeted the vehicle, which was transporting “a number of Hezbollah fighters” responsible for launching rockets into Israeli territory. Prior to the airstrike, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for launching a drone attack on an Israeli military post.
The recent escalation in cross-border violence has heightened concerns of a full-scale conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. The clashes have led to displacement and casualties on both sides, with Hezbollah reporting the deaths of four fighters in a previous Israeli strike.
While Hezbollah has indicated willingness to cease hostilities if Israel ends its Gaza offensive, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has emphasized that Israeli actions against Hezbollah will continue regardless of developments in Gaza.
