One Lebanese army soldier was killed and three others wounded following an Israeli bombardment of their position in Odeisseh, South Lebanon, where artillery exchanges between Hezbollah and the Israeli army intensified on Tuesday afternoon.

The Lebanese army announced in a statement that one of the four soldiers wounded by Israeli artillery fire in Odaisseh had succumbed to his injuries. This is the first Lebanese army member to be killed since the start of clashes in South Lebanon on October 8, in the context of the war in Gaza. The three wounded soldiers were taken to Mays el-Jabal hospital.

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In the evening, the Lebanese Army officially announced the death of Sergeant Abdel Karim al-Moukdad, killed during the Israeli bombardment of December 5. Born in Lhassa, Jbeil in 1996, the sergeant was married and had no children. He had received several medals and distinctions, as well as commendations from the army’s Commander-in-Chief on several occasions. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at Shmistar in the Bekaa.

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In addition, a Syrian national was killed and two members of his family wounded after a shell hit a poultry farm in Arnoun.

Israeli bombardment of the south continued on Tuesday evening in the areas of Rab Thalathin, Wadi el-Salouki, Khardali, Bani Hayan, Karm al-Jawzeh, Mays al-Jabal, Wadi el-Bayad and Houla. The Mays al-Jabal area was targeted by phosphorus shells.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) commented on the soldier’s death, stressing that “the Lebanese armed forces have not engaged in the conflict with Israel.” In a statement issued on Tuesday, UNIFIL also deplored an “alarming increase” in violence in the area recently, fearing that it could lead to “devastating consequences for people on both sides” of the border.

UNIFIL Commander, Aroldo Lazaro, stated on his X account that he was very concerned by the continuing intensification of exchanges of fire along the Blue Line. He added that the clashes have “already claimed too many lives, caused significant damage and jeopardized livelihoods.”

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According to MTV, discussions took place between Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Joseph Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, as well as caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to discuss the repercussions of recent developments in South Lebanon on Tuesday.

Contacts are also underway at several levels with ambassadors from Western countries, with the aim of avoiding escalation.

Caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib reacted to the attack by announcing that Lebanon’s response would be diplomatic, and that “Lebanon does not want war.”

Hezbollah announced in a press release that it had retaliated by attacking an Israeli army position in Manara with guided missiles. The pro-Iranian group said it had inflicted “definite losses on the Israelis.”

It also launched ten missiles towards the Upper Galilee, targeting Kiryat Shmona and the surrounding area. According to Israeli media, Tel Aviv activated its Iron Dome defense system.

The Israeli army, which closed several roads north of the town, retaliated by bombing Naqoura, Tayr Harfa, al-Jibbine and Labbouneh. Several other areas in southern Lebanon were the target of intensive bombardment, including Mohaybib, Bayt Lif, al-Qouzah, Aita al-Shaab, Chihine, Ramya, Markaba, as well as the region between Houra, Deir Mimas and Randa.

Israeli aircraft also raided Zebqine and shelled the outskirts of the villages of Yaroun and Maroun al-Ras in the western sector. Kfar Kila also came under heavy fire.

Israeli shelling hit a house in Mays al-Jabal, causing a fire and slightly injuring one of the inhabitants.

At the same time, white phosphorus shells were fired at the Debbakeh area of Mays al-Jabal.

Israeli fighter jets meanwhile carried out reconnaissance flights over villages close to the Blue Line in the western and central sectors.

For its part, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for several attacks in the afternoon, including one on the Israeli position of Birkat Risha and the Pranit barracks, claiming to have caused “direct losses” to the Israelis.

It also announced that it had fired on a “gathering of Israeli soldiers” in Khallet Wardeh, Koubra, Rouessat al-Assi, Jal al-Alam, Dhayra and Tayhat “with appropriate weapons.” The pro-Iranian group then fired missiles at the Zebdine post in the Shebaa Farms region and targeted the Bayyad Blida post.