At least 18 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon, Lebanon’s health ministry said on Friday, as fighting escalates in the region. The Israeli military also reported that four of its soldiers were killed in what it described as one of the deadliest single incidents since the latest surge in hostilities began.
The Lebanese health ministry said heavy airstrikes since midnight had disrupted rescue and evacuation operations, with a preliminary toll of 18 dead and 33 injured, warning that the figures could still rise.
Residents and Lebanese media reported that multiple airstrikes and artillery shelling struck several towns in the Nabatieh district overnight into early Friday. Lebanon’s state news agency NNA described the bombardment as one of the most intense in recent weeks.
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Israel said its operations targeted Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure across southern Lebanon, describing the strikes as a response to repeated ceasefire violations by the Iran-backed group.
Hezbollah, however, said its fighters ambushed an advancing Israeli unit near Ali al-Taher hill in southern Lebanon, destroying three Merkava tanks with guided missiles and engaging troops with rocket and artillery fire. The group said clashes were still ongoing.
The escalation comes a day after Israel released a map indicating an expanded military control zone in southern Lebanon and signalled it could extend operations beyond it, casting doubt on a recent U.S.-brokered agreement aimed at ending the wider conflict involving Iran.
The deal reportedly calls for a halt to hostilities on all fronts, including Lebanon, and stresses respect for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
A senior Israeli official said negotiations were ongoing with the U.S. administration over maintaining troop positions up to 10 kilometres inside southern Lebanon while operations against Hezbollah continue.
Israel has rejected calls to withdraw its forces, while Hezbollah has maintained attacks on Israeli positions, including drone strikes that have caused casualties in recent days.
