Israeli army chief warns of 'strike and war' on Hezbollah

Israel's army chief Herzi Halevi has visited his forces near the northern border with Lebanon, where he spoke of the need "to kill Hezbollah operatives, to demonstrate our superiority".

"It can also come in the form of a strike and war," he said Sunday.

In northern Israel, residents fear a wider conflict emerging along the border with Lebanon.

Since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, the frontier between Lebanon and Israel has seen intensifying exchanges of fire, mainly between Israel and Hezbollah, but also Palestinian groups, raising fears of a broader conflagration.

More than 120 people have been killed on the Lebanese side, mostly Hezbollah fighters and more than a dozen civilians, according to an AFP tally, since fighting began in October.

On the Israeli side, six soldiers and four civilians have been killed, according to Israeli authorities.