The Israeli army raided three cars in Southern Lebanon on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of two Hezbollah fighters. In the first attack, Israel launched four missiles at a car in Deir Kifa around noon, killing Abbas Ibrahim Hamza from the southern town of Shihabiyeh, who was mourned by Hezbollah. The second attack occurred later in the afternoon in the town of Houmin al-Fawqa, killing Hadi Jumaa, the son of Hezbollah leader Sheikh Muhammad Jumaa. The Israeli army also conducted an airstrike targeting a car on the Hanawayeh road in the Tyre district. Later on, it confirmed killing Hezbollah Joya sector commander Fadl Ibrahim.
Israeli warplanes targeted the Bir Kallab area in Iqlim al-Tuffah with two air-to-surface missiles.
Additionally, a raid was recorded on Jabal al-Rayhan in the Jezzine district, and its echoes were heard in the city of Saida and its eastern surroundings.
Israeli reconnaissance planes flew over Naqoura and the coast between Tyre and the al-Qasimiya area north of Tyre. Drones were also seen in the airspace of the Tyre area and the Abu al-Aswad al-Qasimiya area.
In retaliation for the attack in Deir Kifa, Hezbollah announced in a statement that it shelled the Zar’it barracks with dozens of Katyusha rockets. Hezbollah also targeted the Ruwaisat al-Alam position in the occupied Lebanese Kfarchouba Hills with heavy machine guns. It also targeted Israeli soldiers inside the Sammaqa position in the Kfarchouba Hills, hitting them directly.
According to the Al-Hadath news channel, 25 missiles were reportedly launched from southern Lebanon towards Israel.
Earlier in the day, Avichay Adraee, the Israeli army’s Arabic spokesperson, said that after Gaza, the northern border will be where Israel will conduct its offensive operations.
In an interview with Al-Hurra news channel, Adraee stated that “the army command has discussed and approved plans for engagement in Lebanon and is awaiting the decision of the political leadership.”
Adraee also underscored Israel’s objective of “keeping Hezbollah away from our borders through strikes on its leaders and interests,” reiterating that “Israel did not seek war on Lebanon’s borders, but Hezbollah pushed for it.”
On Thursday morning, Israel had instructed civilians to evacuate the town of Jish in the Upper Galilee due to heightened tensions on the border.
