Seven Israeli troops and 10 other people were wounded in attacks by Lebanon’s Hezbollah group, according to Israel’s military and rescue services. The clashes occurred along the Lebanon-Israel border, as tensions between Hezbollah and the Israeli military continue to escalate. The Israeli military stated that the soldiers were lightly injured by mortar shell launches in northern Israel. Two of the 10 other injured individuals were in critical condition, but no further information was provided about their identities or the location of the attacks.
The Israeli military reported 15 launches from Lebanon, with their defense systems intercepting four, while the rest fell into open areas. Hamas’ military wing claimed responsibility for shelling northern Haifa and the Israeli border towns of Na’ura and Shlomi from southern Lebanon. They did not provide any further details.
The conflict began when Hezbollah fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli community near the border, severely injuring utility workers. In response, the Israeli military launched artillery fire at the origin of the attack. The Israel Electric Corp. stated that the workers in the rural community of Dovev were wounded while repairing previously damaged lines. Six people were reportedly injured, including one critically.
Israel retaliated by striking several southern Lebanese towns, including Yaroun, Mays el-Jabal, and Alma al-Shaab. The Israeli military released an aerial video showing strikes on what they claimed to be Hezbollah militant infrastructure, including a warehouse of weapons and military infrastructure.
Hezbollah confirmed launching guided missiles against an Israeli military bulldozer and a logistical force near the Dovev barracks. Shortly after the attack, air raid sirens were heard in northern Israel, with reports of another anti-tank missile being fired from Lebanon.
Hezbollah later announced attacks on Israeli military gatherings and barracks in the border areas of Birket Riche and Zareit, as the clashes continued to intensify.
This incident marks the most serious involving civilians since an Israeli airstrike in south Lebanon on November 5th, which resulted in the death of a woman and three children.
The clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants have been ongoing since the start of the Israel-Hamas war five weeks ago. The situation has further escalated as Israel conducts a ground offensive in Gaza against Hamas.
In addition to the clashes along the border, the United Nations peacekeeping force in south Lebanon, UNIFIL, reported that one of its peacekeepers had been wounded by gunfire near the Lebanese town of al-Qawza. The source of the shooting is unknown, and UNIFIL is currently investigating the incident.
