Israeli Aircraft Strike Hezbollah Cells in Lebanon, Escalating Border Conflict
October 23 (Reuters) – Israeli aircraft launched strikes on two Hezbollah cells in Lebanon on Monday, according to the Israeli military. The cells were planning to launch anti-tank missiles and rockets towards Israel. The airstrikes come as fighting intensifies along the shared border between the two countries.
Hezbollah, a Lebanese political party and militant group, confirmed that one of its fighters was killed in the strikes but did not provide further details. The state-run news agency in Lebanon, NNA, reported an Israeli air strike on the southern outskirts of Aitaroun.
The Israeli military stated that one of the cells was located near the Israeli town of Mattat, approximately 13 km (8 miles) southwest of Aitaroun. The other cell was situated further north in the disputed Shebaa Farms area. The military confirmed that it successfully struck both cells before they were able to carry out their attack.
Confusion arose regarding the incidents as it was unclear if both sides were referring to the same set of events. In response to the initial strikes, Israel stated that it targeted additional Hezbollah targets, including a compound and an observation post. At the time of reporting, there were no reports of injuries or damage resulting from these subsequent strikes.
Tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border have escalated since a surprise attack on Israel by Palestinian group Hamas on October 7. In response to the attack, Israel launched intense air strikes on the Gaza Strip. Since then, Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in frequent exchanges of fire at the frontier.
Over the course of the conflict, Israel has evacuated 42 communities along its northern front with Lebanon. Hezbollah claims that at least 27 of its fighters have been killed since October 7. Lebanese security sources have reported that 11 fighters from Palestinian groups, allied with Hezbollah, have also lost their lives in the border area, along with four civilians.
On Israel’s side of the border, five soldiers and one civilian have been killed, according to Israeli military reports.
Reporting by Rami Ayyub, Ahmed Tolba, and Muhammad Al Gebaly; editing by Diane Craft and Michael Perry