512 houses damaged in north Israel as Hezbollah attacks continue

Israeli artillery shelled Thursday several border towns in southern Lebanon as Hezbollah targeted an Israeli post in the occupied Shebaa farms.

Hezbollah said it has attacked surveillance equipment in the Radar post, while Israel shelled Yarine, al-Jebbayn, Em el-Tout, and the outskirts of al-Hebbariye.

An Israeli drone had struck overnight an ambulance for the Amal Movement-affiliated Islamic Risala Scout Association in the border town of Blida, causing damage to the vehicle but no casualties.

"The paramedics miraculously escaped with no injuries," the Islamic Risala Scout Association said in a statement.

A Hezbollah fighter was also killed overnight in an Israeli strike on a house in Beit Lif.

More than 200 people, mostly Hezbollah fighters but also more than 20 civilians, have been killed on Lebanon's side, and 18 on Israel's. Tens of thousands have been displaced on both sides.

Israeli media said Thursday that 512 houses in northern Israel have been damaged by Hezbollah fire. Some of these houses - in Metula, Kiryat Shmona, Manara, Melkia, Avivim, Zar'it, Shtula, Hanita and Shlomi - have been completely destructed, the report said.

Israeli soldiers usually gather inside these houses as residents have been evacuated. Israel has evacuated 60,000 residents from towns nearest the border, where there's no warning time for rocket launches because of the proximity of Hezbollah squads. In many statements, Hezbollah said it has targeted groups of soldiers gathered inside a house, inflicting casualties.

In Lebanon, some have criticized Hezbollah for exposing the crisis-hit country to a potentially devastating war. Others support the group's limited entry into the conflict and believe Hezbollah's arsenal will deter Israel from escalating.