The Israeli military, on Thursday, confirmed that it had carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, amid escalating tensions along the border.
The Shiite militia, backed by Iran, said that five of its fighters, including the son of a senior leader, were killed in the attack.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the fighter jets targeted Hezbollah facilities on Lebanese territory, in response to rocket fire from Lebanon into northern Israel. No injuries or damage were reported on the Israeli side.
Hezbollah said in a statement that the Israeli raid targeted one of its positions near the town of Baalbek in the Bekaa Valley, killing five “martyrs” who were defending Lebanon’s sovereignty.
It identified one of the slain fighters as Jawad Raad, the son of Mohammad Raad, the head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc.
The attack came amid fears that the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas could spill over to Lebanon, where Hezbollah is a major political and military force. Israel considers Hezbollah and Hamas as terrorist organisations that are proxies of Iran, its arch-enemy in the region.
READ MORE:Jailed Pistorius Eligible For Parole Hearing Friday
The border area between Israel and Lebanon has witnessed frequent clashes between the IDF and Hezbollah since the start of the Gaza conflict on October 7, which has killed more than 1,000 Palestinians and 50 Israelis.
It is the worst violence in the area since the 2006 war, which ended with a UN-brokered ceasefire. Both sides have warned of a possible escalation if the other side crosses a red line.