Hezbollah says Israeli soldiers killed, tanks destroyed in Aita al-Shaab
The armed Lebanese group reports that its operatives have engaged in a close-quarters firefight with Israeli soldiers in the town of Aita al-Shaab in southern Lebanon along the border with Israel about noon.
A Merkava tank tried to provide support for the Israeli soldiers but was destroyed, according to Hezbollah, which said clashes are ongoing. It reported a separate hit on a Merkava tank using a guided missile as well.
The group also reported multiple new rocket salvos, saying it targeted Israeli soldiers in Misgav Am, the city of Kiryat Shmona, soldiers in Manara and a logistical base affiliated with the Northern Command of the Israeli military located between Nahariya and Acre.
The Israeli military has reported at least 52 launches from Lebanese territory, saying some were intercepted.
Israeli military says 5 rockets intercepted as Hezbollah reports ground fighting
The Israeli military says its air force successfully intercepted five rockets launched by Hezbollah towards the upper and central Galilee in northern Israel.
Hezbollah said its latest rocket salvo targeted the settlement of Karmiel.
The armed Lebanese group also reported more ground fighting with invading Israeli forces, saying it hit soldiers as they were advancing near Odaisseh with bullets and rockets, “forcing them to retreat”.
EU’s top diplomat calls for reinforcement of UNIFIL, Lebanese army
The EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called for an immediate reinforcement of Lebanon’s army and the UN peacekeeping mission in the country (UNIFIL) amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
“We know who is attacking UNIFIL. I’ve been watching videos where it’s clear that Israeli Defense Forces are attacking UNIFIL, and it is completely unacceptable,” he told reporters during an aid conference for Lebanon in Paris.
Calling for stronger international support for the peacekeeping mission, he also called for urgent support for the Lebanese army.
“The Lebanese army has to be reinforced, and once there is a cease-fire, the Lebanese army has to deploy in the south,” he said.
