The Israeli army said it had killed several members of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia at close range in southern Lebanon on Thursday, as it continued a major incursion into the neighboring country.
The army said its soldiers had also destroyed hundreds of militia weapons, including anti-tank missiles and rocket launchers that had been used to attack communities across the border in Israel.
Hezbollah said Thursday it has repelled an attempt by Israeli forces to enter an area near the coastal town of Naqoura in southwestern Lebanon.
This would be the third border area of Lebanon that Israeli forces have entered or attempted to enter – in addition to the area near Naqoura, an area near the town of Maroun al-Ras further east and near Kafr Kila further north.
The information from the front lines of the fighting could not be verified.
According to security sources in Lebanon, Israeli ground forces captured a Hezbollah military post near Maroun al-Ras a few days ago. State security sources in Lebanon also said that Israeli military vehicles had been sighted near the UN soldiers stationed near Maroun al-Ras.