Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of two Hezbollah fighters, the military confirmed on Tuesday. The escalation of violence between Lebanese Hezbollah, supported by Iran, and the Israeli military has raised concerns of a broader regional conflict.
Hezbollah acknowledged the death of one of its fighters, Hussein Azkoul, who was reportedly an engineer in Hezbollah’s aerial defense units. Sources close to Hezbollah revealed that Israel had been targeting fighters by monitoring their homes using surveillance drones.
The Israeli military stated that Azkoul’s death could have a significant impact on Hezbollah’s aerial unit, although Hezbollah has downplayed such claims in the past. Additionally, a separate Israeli strike killed a fighter in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Forces unit, but his death has not been confirmed by Hezbollah.
The situation further escalated as air raid sirens sounded in northern Israel, prompting the military to intercept a “suspicious aerial target.” This comes after more than 30 rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel on Monday, and Hezbollah claimed to have downed an Israeli drone in southern Lebanon on Sunday.
Since October, Israeli airstrikes have killed approximately 270 Hezbollah fighters and around 50 civilians, while Hezbollah’s rocket and drone attacks have resulted in the deaths of a dozen Israeli soldiers and civilians. The ongoing conflict has displaced tens of thousands on both sides, adding to the humanitarian crisis in the region.