Beirut, June 20: At least 18 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon on Friday, while Israel reported the deaths of four soldiers in ongoing clashes with Hezbollah, marking one of the deadliest escalations since the recent US-Iran agreement aimed at halting the wider regional conflict.
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Lebanon’s health ministry said the strikes wounded 33 people and hit multiple towns and villages in the south. The Israeli military said four soldiers, including Lieutenant Colonel Dor Gedalia Ben Simhon, were killed in combat, while another officer was seriously wounded in a drone attack.
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Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli troops with rockets and mortar shells near Nabatieh, claiming clashes were ongoing as fighting intensified along the border.
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The violence comes despite diplomatic efforts to contain the broader Middle East conflict, with hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah showing little sign of easing.
