Israeli Airstrikes Result in the Deaths of Two Hezbollah Members and a Civilian on Friday

Hezbollah has reported that two of its members, Mohammad Mazraani and Wajih Msheik, were among the three individuals killed in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon on Friday. This occurred as Hezbollah resumed hostilities against Israel following the cessation of a Gaza ceasefire.

According to a source close to Hezbollah, Mazraani and his mother Nasifa were killed in their home, countering claims that he was involved in combat activities at the time. Lebanon’s National News Agency initially identified both mother and son as civilians.

The resumption of cross-border exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel followed shortly after the end of a truce between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, which had significantly reduced violence along the Lebanon-Israel border.

Hezbollah stated it had targeted Israeli soldiers near the Jal al-Allam position, an Israeli post opposite the Lebanese town of Naqoura. The group considers this position significant due to the presence of Israeli surveillance equipment.

The Israeli army responded by striking what it called “a terrorist cell” and intercepting launches from Lebanon, while also targeting the origins of the attacks with artillery fire.

The recent skirmishes have sparked concerns over a potential wider conflict. During the seven-week war, Hezbollah has declared its assaults as support for Hamas following the Palestinian group’s attack on southern Israel on October 7. Israel has since pledged to eliminate Hezbollah, launching an extensive air and ground campaign that, according to Hamas-run Gaza authorities, has resulted in over 15,000 deaths, mostly civilians.

Since the outbreak of hostilities in October, the Lebanese side has suffered over 110 deaths, primarily Hezbollah fighters but also including civilians. On the Israeli side, six soldiers and three civilians have been reported killed by Israeli authorities.