Two Lebanese soldiers were injured yesterday, Monday, due to an aggressive Israeli targeting in the town of Kfarra in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah announced it had executed 11 operations targeting gatherings of Israeli soldiers and vehicles, resulting in injuries to three Israeli soldiers. This escalation occurs as the toll of Lebanese casualties rises due to Israeli airstrikes, alongside reports of American efforts for a new round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.
The Lebanese Army stated in a report that the officer and soldier sustained minor injuries while traveling in a military vehicle between army posts. Earlier, the Lebanese Ministry of Health reported 17 fatalities within 24 hours, raising the death toll since March 2 to 2,696 dead and 8,264 injured, including 186 children, 260 women, and 34 elderly.
Details of the Incident
The number of Israeli airstrikes targeting health and rescue teams has risen to 132, resulting in 103 deaths and 238 injuries, in addition to damage to 25 health centers and 119 ambulances. Three hospitals have been completely closed due to these attacks, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
Despite the declaration of a ceasefire since April 17, the Israeli army continues to bomb sites in Lebanon daily and is demolishing homes in dozens of villages. In this context, the Israeli occupation army warned on Monday evening the residents of six villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes in preparation for airstrikes in the area, claiming these attacks are in light of Hezbollah's violations of the ceasefire.
Background & Context
The National News Agency in Lebanon reported that Israeli aircraft conducted airstrikes on more than 20 sites in the south, including towns where the Israeli army had previously urged residents to evacuate. Hezbollah announced it had carried out 11 operations targeting gatherings of Israeli vehicles and soldiers in several towns in southern Lebanon, as part of its responses to Tel Aviv's violations of the ceasefire.
The party clarified in various statements that these operations are in defense of Lebanon and its people, in response to the aggressions that have affected villages in southern Lebanon, resulting in deaths and injuries among civilians. The operations included launching rocket volleys and artillery shells targeting gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the towns of Al-Bayyadah, Al-Qantara, Ainata, and Adchit Al-Qusair.
Impact & Consequences
In a related context, the party announced targeting a newly established artillery position in the town of Rab Tlasin using a squadron of kamikaze drones. An Israeli force attempting to advance in the area of Khallat Al-Raj was also targeted, leading to direct clashes between party members and Israeli soldiers.
The clashes resulted in confirmed injuries among the Israeli force, as the army evacuated the injured by land to the settlement of Misgav Am in northern Israel, before airlifting them into Israel. The Israeli army has not issued an immediate comment on these operations, but it previously announced that two soldiers were moderately injured during clashes in southern Lebanon.
Regional Significance
On the diplomatic front, Israeli broadcasting authority reported American efforts to coordinate a new round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel next week. The authority mentioned that the round will be held in Washington with the participation of the ambassadors of both countries, but no final date has been set yet.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has declared adherence to the negotiation path, considering that there is "no other option" for Lebanon, and he outlined the negotiation goals as achieving the Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories and the return of prisoners. Aoun also rejected a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing the need to reach a security agreement before discussing the meeting issue.