UN estimates it could take years to clear 37 million tonnes of debris in Gaza

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The tense situation along the Lebanese-Israeli border escalated on Friday as the Israeli army responded to a Hezbollah operation with artillery shelling and airstrikes targeting the Tumat Niha area on the outskirts of Western Bekaa.

The conflict resulted in the death of an Israeli near the country’s northern border in a Hezbollah attack. Israeli forces launched an airstrike on the outskirts of Shebaa and fired artillery shells on the outskirts of the town of Kfarchouba at dawn. More than 150 Israeli shells targeted the outskirts of Shebaa, Kfarchouba, and Helta.

Hezbollah has been engaged in almost daily fire exchanges with the Israeli army since Hamas carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The latest incident involved Hezbollah setting up a combined ambush of guided missiles, artillery, and rocket weapons targeting an Israeli motorized convoy near the Ruwaizat Al-Alam site in the occupied Lebanese Kfarchouba hills.

According to Hezbollah’s statement, the convoy was targeted with guided weapons, artillery, and rockets, resulting in the destruction of two vehicles. The Israeli army created a smokescreen to retrieve losses, but Hezbollah continued its offensive by targeting an Israeli force at the entrance of the Al-Malikiyah site with artillery fire.

The Israeli army confirmed the death of a truck driver, Sharif Sawaed, who was hit by an anti-tank shell fired by Hezbollah toward Shebaa Farms. Sawaed was carrying out infrastructure work in the area where efforts were underway to set up a border barrier. The Israeli army successfully retrieved his body after a complex operation under fire.

Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling caused significant damage to houses in Shebaa, Kfarchouba, Yarine, and Dhayra. The Israeli army also targeted Hezbollah positions in several villages in southern Lebanon, destroying a weapons depot and a rocket launch pad.

The head of the Israeli Metula settlement council expressed frustration over the continuous attacks, stating that Hezbollah was deliberately causing harm to the people of the north. The Israeli army described the incident as a difficult security situation on the Lebanese border, marking the first confrontation where details of casualties and developments were revealed.

The ongoing conflict has taken a toll on both sides, with casualties reported on both the Israeli and Lebanese sides. The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported 1,359 casualties, including 344 deaths, while Israeli media outlets stated that 4,000 missiles were launched towards northern Israel from Lebanon since the beginning of the Gaza war.

Hezbollah provided a detailed account of its military operations on the Lebanese southern border, claiming to have killed and wounded 2,000 Israeli soldiers and carried out numerous attacks on Israeli targets. The group also forced the evacuation of thousands of settlers from northern settlements.

The situation remains tense along the Lebanese-Israeli border, with both sides engaged in a deadly conflict that shows no signs of abating.