Beirut: Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing five fighters and two civilians, according to Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) and Hezbollah statements. The strikes come amid escalating cross-border hostilities following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.
Details of the Attack
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari confirmed in a televised briefing that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) “eliminated… seven Hezbollah terrorists in a number of air attacks” in southern Lebanon. The NNA reported that Israeli strikes targeted motorbikes in three south Lebanon border villages. Specifically, two civilians were killed in Hula, two in Aita al-Shaab, and additional casualties were reported in Naqura on the coast.
Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shiite militant group and Hamas ally, acknowledged the death of five of its fighters, with one reportedly killed in Naqura.
Escalation of Violence
The strikes are part of a larger pattern of increasing violence between Hezbollah and Israeli forces. Hezbollah has regularly engaged in cross-border attacks against Israeli positions since the October 7 assault by Hamas, which led to ongoing warfare in the Gaza Strip.
On Sunday alone, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for at least 14 attacks on Israeli troops and positions, including “dozens” of rocket barrages. These actions were described as retaliatory measures for Israeli strikes on Lebanese villages.
Casualties and Damages
The NNA also reported fires in several locations due to the bombardments, including blazes caused by incendiary phosphorus rounds. In Israel, the Magen David Adom emergency service treated a 40-year-old man for blast injuries in the Kiryat Shmona area following warning sirens.
Since the escalation began, the violence has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. According to an AFP tally, at least 440 people have been killed in Lebanon, including militants and 84 civilians. On the Israeli side, 14 soldiers and 11 civilians have been reported dead due to the hostilities.
Hezbollah’s recent uptick in attacks is framed as support for Palestinians in Gaza and its ally Hamas. Israel has responded with intensified airstrikes, striking deeper into Lebanese territory and targeting Hezbollah operatives and infrastructure. The ongoing conflict has heightened regional tensions and increased fears of a broader confrontation involving multiple actors across the Middle East.
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