One person was killed on Friday in a drone strike targeting a car in the southern town of al-Abbasiya, in the Tyre district, according to the Public Health Ministry. The attack comes amid a surge in casualties resulting from ongoing Israeli strikes across the country.
Meanwhile, Israeli reconnaissance drones were reported flying over the capital, Beirut, raising concerns of further escalation.
Elsewhere in the south, Israeli forces carried out ground incursions into Lebanese territory, demolishing two homes by detonation in the towns of Hula and Mays al-Jabal. A bulldozer was also reportedly seized and transported back across the border into Israeli territory.
Since Wednesday night, three separate Israeli strikes have been reported. On Thursday, an Israeli drone attack in Hula killed one person, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. The drone launched two missiles at a car, then dropped additional bombs to deter bystanders from approaching the scene.
Shortly afterward, Israeli army Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee claimed the victim was Mohammad Ahmad Khreis, commander of Hezbollah’s anti-armor missile unit in the Shebaa complex. Adraee alleged Khreis had orchestrated rocket attacks on Israeli territory, including a strike on March 26 that killed Israeli civilian Sharif Sawaed. He added that Khreis continued to plan attacks in southern Lebanon in violation of long-standing understandings between the two countries.
Earlier on Thursday, the Israeli military announced that Yassin Abdel Moneim Ezzeddine, described as Hezbollah’s artillery commander in the Litani sector, was killed in an Israeli air raid on the Barish area.
Overnight Thursday into Friday, an Israeli helicopter reportedly dropped three incendiary bombs in the area between the southern towns of Blida and Aitaroun. Around 1 AM, flares were fired by the Israeli military off the coast of Ras al-Naqoura, further heightening concerns of expanded hostilities.
In the midst of the rising tension, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) announced in a statement that army units would be carrying out controlled detonations of unexploded ordnance in the Qlayaa area of Marjayoun between 10 AM and 4 PM on Friday.
The Israeli targeted operations come amid strong warnings from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who stated on Friday morning that if Hezbollah joins the conflict alongside Iran, “there will be no Hezbollah left.” He warned that Israel’s patience has ended toward those threatening it, emphasizing that “Hezbollah must exercise caution and understand that our patience regarding threats has run out.” Katz advised Hezbollah to show restraint and declared, “If there is terrorism, there will be no Hezbollah.”
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