Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants clashed in Lebanon on Wednesday with the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announcing the deaths of eight of its soldiers. These were Israel’s first combat losses since launching cross-border raids earlier this week.
Fighting between Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants is ongoing in southern Lebanon, both sides said in separate statements. Israel has sent more troops and artillery to the border area in recent weeks.
The fighting began hours after Iran launched its largest direct attack on Israel to date. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran would pay for its “big mistake”, a warning the US repeated at the United Nations (UN).
Iran justified its attack on Israel as self-defence under Article 51 of the founding UN Charter, citing “aggressive actions” by Israel including violations of Iran’s sovereignty.
Iran fired some 200 missiles including hypersonic weapons, sending frightened Israeli civilians into shelters.
Israel said it intercepted most of them. Two people were wounded by shrapnel and a school building was damaged.
The Israeli military said several Iranian missiles struck inside air force bases without causing any casualties or damage.
Last month, Israel shifted its focus from the conflict in Gaza, which erupted after Hamas’s October 7 assault, to strengthening its northern border against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s primary backer, Iran, said it would escalate its response if Israel retaliates, defying calls for de-escalation in a war that has cost more than 1,000 lives in Lebanon since last week.
Hezbollah, IDF Exchange Gunfire
Israel bombarded Hezbollah’s south Beirut stronghold, having dealt a seismic blow last week by killing the group’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in a massive strike.
Hezbollah said it forced Israeli soldiers to retreat from a village, targeted an Israeli unit with explosives and destroyed three tanks.
The Israeli army said it staged two brief incursions into Lebanon, warning residents to evacuate more than 20 areas.
In Beirut, Hezbollah targets in the southern suburbs were repeatedly bombarded overnight, with AFP correspondents hearing about 20 explosions and seeing smoke billowing over the area.
A separate Israeli strike on a Damascus neighbourhood frequented by Hezbollah leaders and Iranian Revolutionary Guards killed two people, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said.
’Significant Economic Damage’
Israel is preparing a retaliatory strike in response to Iran’s recent missile attack, with an aim to cause substantial economic damage, according to The Times of Israel. Officials in Israel believe the response must be significant and delivered, the Israeli daily said.
Israel is reportedly considering a response to Iran’s large-scale ballistic missile strike on Tuesday by targeting key infrastructure, including gas or oil facilities, or possibly Iran’s nuclear sites, it further added.
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