Israel-Hezbollah border skirmishes: Latest developments
A top commander from Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Forces was killed Monday in a strike on the southern village of Khirbet Selm, adding to fears the conflict in Gaza could spill over.
Also on Monday, Israeli warplanes struck the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab, while Israeli tanks shelled a mosque in the border town of al-Abbasiyya. Shells also hit al-Wazzani, al-Hebbariye, and al-Taybeh.
Earlier on Monday, Israeli media said a missile had hit Kiryat Shmona in northern Israel.
Hezbollah said it targeted the Israeli posts of Rwaisat el-Alam and Hadb al-Bustan.
Israel said Monday it had hit overnight "numerous Hezbollah targets" across its border with Lebanon.
In the last week, Israel has killed a senior Hamas militant in an airstrike in Beirut and Hezbollah has fired barrages of rockets into Israel on an air traffic control base.
The increase in fighting across the border gave new urgency to U.S. diplomatic efforts as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Israel on Monday as part of his latest Mideast tour aiming at avoiding a regional conflagration.
Hezbollah said the rocket barrage was an "initial response" to the targeted killing of top Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri in a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut last week.
Hezbollah's military capabilities are far superior to those of Hamas and Israeli leaders have said their patience is wearing thin, and that if the tensions cannot be resolved through diplomacy, they are prepared to use force.
Source: Agence France Presse, Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/302629 |