Israel-Hezbollah border clashes: Latest developments

W460

Hezbollah targeted Friday surveillance equipment in Birkat Risha in north Israel, a day after it announced four of its fighters had been killed.

Israeli artillery meanwhile shelled the outskirts of the southern coastal town of al-Naqoura, and warplanes raided a home in Shihin in the Tyre district.

A drone also struck the southern border town of Kfarkila.

Fears have grown the Gaza war could become a regional conflagration if the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which so far has been largely limited to the border area, expands.

France's foreign ministry said Thursday that Paris was "extremely concerned" about the fighting, calling "all sides to exercise the greatest restraint".

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said during a visit to Washington on Wednesday that his country did not want war in Lebanon, but could send it back to the "Stone Age" if diplomacy failed.

Amid Western diplomatic efforts to dial down tensions in recent months, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Tuesday visited Beirut and cautioned that "miscalculation" could trigger all-out war, also urging "extreme restraint".

The violence has killed 485 people in Lebanon, most of them fighters but also including 94 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

On the Israeli side, at least 15 soldiers and 11 civilians have been killed, according to authorities.

Comments 1
Missing un520 28 June 2024, 16:31

It looks like the Israelis has got this conflict into a track that favours them. No Israeli has set their foot on Lebanese soil, and still they have eliminated nearly 400 Hezbollah-members. Hezbollah on their part has not so much to show for their efforts, and it is clear that this kind of war does not suit them. Ironically a full scale invasion will give them more targets/low hanging fruit, but then a full scale invasion will be disastrous for those Lebanese societies that value life, peace and prosperity.