Violence continued Monday between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia, with attacks killing two Hezbollah fighters and an Israeli soldier.
According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, two people were killed in an Israeli attack on Houla. Hezbollah later reported that two fighters had also been killed there.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on its Telegram channel that it had “targeted Hezbollah terrorists in the area of Houla in southern Lebanon.” It also hit a rocket launcher and military structures in the areas of Ayta ash Shab and Hanine, the IDF said.
No comment was given on the number of casualties.
Hezbollah does not usually provide details about when, where and how its members die, but later said in a statement that the deaths involved two of its fighters.
An Israeli soldier was killed and several others were wounded, one seriously, in a drone strike carried out from Lebanon over Israel’s northern border on Monday, an Israeli military spokesman said.
The 45-year-old soldier was a member of the IDF’s Desert Reconnaissance Battalion.
According to the spokesman, five drones carrying explosives were launched from bases operated by Hezbollah. Israel’s Iron Dome defense system intercepted three of them, but two managed to get through.
Hezbollah claimed multiple attacks on Israeli troops and military positions in northern Israel, including a drone strike on a base and an attack on Israeli soldiers. The militia said they were trying to “infiltrate” the Lebanese border.
Since the war in the Gaza Strip began more than 10 months ago, military clashes have taken place daily between the Israeli army and Hezbollah militias in Lebanon and other groups in the border area between the countries.
There were casualties on both sides, most of them members of Hezbollah.