Hezbollah Claims Multiple Strikes on Israeli Army Positions, Including First Use of Explosive Drones
In a significant escalation of violence, Lebanon’s Hezbollah announced on Thursday that it had launched multiple strikes on Israeli army positions, including its first-ever use of explosive drones. In response, Israel carried out air strikes on southern Lebanon. The Israeli army stated that it retaliated against launches from Lebanon by targeting Hezbollah sites, using tank and artillery fire.
The clashes between Hezbollah, backed by Iran, and Israeli forces have been ongoing since October 7, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. This marks the deadliest escalation at the Israeli-Lebanese border since the 2006 war.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, four individuals were killed near the southern village of Hula due to Israeli shelling. Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah is scheduled to deliver his first speech since the beginning of the conflict on Friday.
In a statement, the heavily armed Shiite Islamist group revealed that its fighters simultaneously launched 19 strikes on Israeli army positions using guided missiles, artillery, and other weapons. Hezbollah claimed that two explosive-laden drones targeted an Israeli army command post in the disputed Shebaa Farms area at the border.
The town mayor of Khiyam, located approximately 6 km (3.75 miles) from the border, reported that Israeli shelling caused minor injuries to one civilian and set a house on fire. He highlighted that the intensity of the shelling exceeded previous days’ levels and affected the entire area.
Lebanon’s National News Agency also reported Israeli shelling in various areas along the southern border.
Hezbollah’s deployment of explosive drones follows its recent announcement that it successfully used a surface-to-air missile against an Israeli drone.
The Shebaa Farms, a 15-square-mile (39-square-km) area of land, has been under Israeli control since the 1967 Middle East war. However, both Syria and Lebanon claim sovereignty over the Shebaa Farms.
Reporting by Laila Bassam, Riham Alkousaa, and Maya Gebeily in Beirut, and Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Writing by Tom Perry; Editing by Alison Williams, Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Cynthia Osterman, and Sandra Maler.
