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Israeli military aircraft conducted strikes on Wednesday targeting the areas around al-Labbouneh, al-Naqoura, and Kfarshouba. Following these strikes, Hezbollah announced the death of Nabegh al-Qadiri, a member from Kfarshouba, who was described as having fallen “on the road to Jerusalem,” a term used by the group for fighters killed by Israeli forces.
Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border have intensified recently. This escalation follows Hezbollah’s targeting of two Israeli bases on Saturday and Tuesday. These attacks by Hezbollah were in response to an Israeli operation in Beirut last week, which resulted in the death of Saleh Arouri, a senior Hamas figure, and a drone strike on Monday that killed Hezbollah commander Wissam al-Tawil.
Hezbollah’s Central Council member Sheik Nabil Qaouk, during al-Tawil’s funeral in the southern Lebanese village of Khirbet Selm, asserted that these incidents would not deter attacks along the border. The funeral, which saw extensive participation, featured al-Tawil’s coffin, adorned with Hezbollah’s yellow flag, being paraded through the streets.
Coinciding with the funeral, an Israeli drone strike in Khirbet Selm claimed the life of another Hezbollah member. The Israeli military alleged that the individual was responsible for Hezbollah’s drone operations in the south, a claim denied by Hezbollah.
In a further escalation on Tuesday, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of three additional Hezbollah members, while Hezbollah launched attacks on eight Israeli posts along the border.
These increasing incidents of cross-border violence have raised concerns about a potential new conflict, especially against the background of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Hezbollah has stated that its actions on Israel’s northern front aim to alleviate pressure on Hamas in Gaza. The group has reportedly lost approximately 150 fighters in the frequent exchanges of fire.
