Israeli Strikes on Lebanon Kill 7, Including 5 Hezbollah Fighters

Five Hezbollah fighters and two civilians were killed in Israeli strikes in Lebanon on Sunday, as tensions between the two sides escalated. Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, has been engaged in regular cross-border fire with Israel since the Palestinian militant group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7.

Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari confirmed that the military had targeted and “eliminated” seven Hezbollah terrorists in air attacks in south Lebanon. The strikes reportedly targeted motorbikes in three different south Lebanon border villages, resulting in casualties and fires in several locations.

Hezbollah announced that five fighters had been killed in the strikes, with one of them reportedly killed in the Naqura area. The Shiite Muslim movement claimed responsibility for at least 14 attacks on Israeli troops and positions on Sunday, including rocket barrages.

The violence has resulted in the deaths of at least 440 people in Lebanon, mostly militants but also including 84 civilians. On the Israeli side, 14 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed. The recent escalation in cross-border attacks has raised concerns about further violence and instability in the region.

Both sides have accused each other of provocation and retaliation, with Hezbollah claiming its attacks are in support of Gazans and Hamas. Israel, on the other hand, has vowed to defend its territory and respond forcefully to any threats. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to exchange fire and casualties mount on both sides of the border.