Breaking: 1 Dead, 9 Injured in Rare Israeli Strike on Marjayoun

The Lebanese health ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of two people. Hezbollah, the militant group based in Lebanon, confirmed that two of its fighters were among those killed. This latest incident marks another episode in the ongoing cross-border violence, raising concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war, triggered by Hamas’ unexpected attack on Israel on October 7, Hezbollah and the Israeli military have been exchanging fire almost daily. Amid these tensions, ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel are scheduled to resume on Thursday in Qatar, as top diplomats work to prevent the conflict from spreading, especially after Iran and Hezbollah vowed retaliation for recent high-profile assassinations.

In a statement, the Lebanese health ministry detailed that an Israeli strike on the town of Marjayoun killed one person and injured nine others, revising an earlier report that stated three people had died. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that an “enemy drone” had targeted a vehicle in the town square, a typically bustling area with shops. Additionally, the health ministry confirmed another fatality and one injury from an Israeli strike in the village of Blida in southern Lebanon.

The Israeli military acknowledged that its air force had targeted Hezbollah military installations, including those in Blida, and later confirmed that Israeli aircraft had “eliminated two Hezbollah terrorists” in the Marjayoun area. Hezbollah subsequently announced the deaths of two of its fighters from Israeli fire.

Earlier, the Lebanese health ministry reported that an Israeli strike near the southern city of Tyre, in the area of al-Abbasiyeh, wounded 17 people, including two teenagers and an eight-year-old girl, with four of the injured in critical condition.

In retaliation for the al-Abbasiyeh strike, Hezbollah claimed to have launched “volleys of Katyusha rockets” at the Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel. The Israeli army confirmed that several projectiles from Lebanon landed in an “open area” without causing any injuries.

Hezbollah also reported conducting several other attacks on Israeli forces and positions on Wednesday, including the use of “explosive-laden drones.”

The violence since October has resulted in the deaths of approximately 570 people in Lebanon, the majority being Hezbollah fighters, though at least 118 civilians have also been killed, according to an AFP tally. On the Israeli side, including the annexed Golan Heights, the conflict has claimed the lives of 22 soldiers and 26 civilians, based on army reports.

In a bid to ease the escalating tensions, French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne is scheduled to visit Beirut on Thursday, following the visit of U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein on Wednesday.