Hezbollah Confirms Two Fighters Killed in Israeli Air Strike Amid Ongoing Tensions

Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement reported that two of its fighters were killed by an Israeli air strike on Sunday, as hostilities between the Iran-backed group and Israel continue to escalate. The Lebanese health ministry also noted another fatality from a previous attack.

The ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has intensified since October 7, when Hamas’s assault on Israel led to a broader conflict in Gaza. Hezbollah has engaged in near-daily exchanges of fire with Israel, supporting its ally Hamas.

Tensions have been particularly high following the killing of Hezbollah’s top military commander, Fuad Shukr, in a strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs late last month. This attack occurred just hours before the assassination of Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, an act attributed to Israel.

On Sunday, the Lebanese health ministry confirmed that an Israeli strike targeted the village of Taybeh, resulting in the deaths of two Hezbollah fighters. The Lebanese National News Agency reported that a drone fired two missiles on the village. The Israeli military acknowledged the strike, stating that it had targeted several Hezbollah military structures in the area throughout the day, including a terrorist cell and a military structure that housed weapons.

Further reports indicate that an Israeli strike in the nearby area of Derdghaiya killed at least three Syrians, according to local sources. However, the Lebanese health ministry provided a different count, stating that two Syrians were killed and several others injured.

Hezbollah, which has been active in launching attacks on northern Israel, claimed responsibility for several assaults on Sunday, including the use of attack drones. The cross-border violence has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with at least 565 people killed in Lebanon, including 116 civilians, and 48 people killed on the Israeli side, according to official and media sources. Thousands of people have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict.