BEIRUT: A Lebanese security source said an Israeli strike on Thursday killed four Hezbollah members, with the group announcing three dead and a drone attack in retaliation, as cross-border hostilities intensify, AFP reported.
According to a Lebanese security source speaking on condition of anonymity, the Israeli strike targeted a vehicle carrying Hezbollah fighters in the village of Bafliyeh, located approximately 15 kilometers (10 miles) from the border. The strike resulted in the deaths of four Hezbollah fighters, with Lebanon’s civil defense confirming the toll.
Hezbollah said that three of its fighters had been killed and swiftly retaliated with an air attack using explosive drones targeting an Israeli military base and its vicinity. The group claimed responsibility for several other attacks on Israeli positions and troops across the border throughout the day.
The Israeli military, in turn, acknowledged intercepting two drones in Lebanese territory and stated that it had conducted strikes in Lebanon. Fighter jets targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and military installations in the Aita al-Shaab area, the military reported.
Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah have escalated in recent weeks, marked by increased hostilities and incursions into Lebanese territory by Israeli forces. The movement has intensified its attacks, while Israel has responded with airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions.
The prolonged cross-border violence has exacted a heavy toll on both sides, with at least 399 people killed in Lebanon over the past seven months, according to an AFP tally. Among the casualties are mostly civilians. Israel has reported the deaths of 14 soldiers on its side of the border.
