Further escalation of violence on Tuesday evening on the southern front. Three members of the same family – a couple and their 25 year-old son – were killed in Hula, in the Marjayoun district, in an Israeli raid that targeted the house they were staying in. Hezbollah retaliated by firing several salvos of rockets against northern Israel. At least 70 rockets hit Kiryat Shmona and Avivim.

Israeli media confirmed the raid, without specifying whether there were any casualties. For its part, the Israeli army announced that it was “targeting Hezbollah structures in southern Lebanon, in retaliation.”

The day was marked by an intensification of hostilities on both sides of the southern border, as Israeli bombardments hit the outskirts of Wazzani, notably in an area of orchards, where a Syrian national was wounded. In the evening, it warried out raids on Khiam, Aita el-Shaab and Tibeh, as well as on the outskirts of Debbine. In the latter locality, five people were wounded, according to preliminary information.

The Israeli army also carried out airstrikes on Aita al-Shaab, Chihine, Zebqine and Tayr Harfa, as well as on homes in Kafra, Majdelzoun and Jbal el-Botm. One person was slightly injured in these strikes, which targeted homes. In addition, a residential area was targeted in Dhayra.

Artillery shells also hit Tallet al-Awida, Aita al-Shaab, Wazzani and Al-Amra, as well as the outskirts of Rmeish and Yaroun.

Israeli aircraft also broke the sound barrier over Saida and launched thermal balloons over Zahrani and Ghaziyeh.

An interceptor missile exploded in the skies over Rmeish, causing strong echoes throughout the Bint Jbeil region.

By dawn, the Israeli army had swept the villages of Naqoura and Jabal al-Alam, as well as the forested areas of Jabal al-Labbouneh, with heavy machine-gun fire.

For its part, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks on the Israeli positions of Raheb, Birkat Richa and Roueissat al-Alam, and on a Merkava tank in the Netoua settlement. The pro-Iranian group also announced that it had bombed the settlement of Kiryat Shmona, as well as a gathering of Israeli soldiers and a Merkava tank on Tayhat hill, in response to Monday’s strike on Bint Jbeil, which left one person dead. It also targeted site of Israeli soldiers behind Baghdadi’s position.

According to Israeli media, a missile targeted a home in Kiryat Shmona, causing no injuries, while roads were blocked in the direction of Al-Manara, Misgav and Margaliot.

In the evening, the pro-Iranian group announced the death of one of its fighters, from Hula.

Against this backdrop of hostilities, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant declared that the Hebrew state remained “committed to political efforts to reach an agreement” to halt the escalation of border clashes with Hezbollah. However, at a meeting with US envoy Amos Hochstein in Tel Aviv, he warned that “Hezbollah’s attacks are dragging both sides into a dangerous escalation.”