Hezbollah fights Israeli ground forces in 3 border towns in southern Lebanon

By Stephanie Rady

BEIRUT (AA) – Hezbollah fighters engaged in fierce clashes with Israeli ground forces at three border points in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanese media on Monday.

The state news agency NNA said Hezbollah fighters fought against Israeli forces trying to advance into the towns of Aita al-Shaab, Qaouzah, and Ramiya.

Israeli forces shelled Aita al-Shaab and Ramiya with heavy artillery, the broadcaster said.

Separately, a Lebanese girl died of wounds sustained in an Israeli airstrike in Kharayeb town in eastern Lebanon, NNA reported.

Several airstrikes were also reported in the towns of Kharayeb, Houmine El Faouqa, and Jarjouaain, Habbouch and Arab Salim in southern Lebanon.

No information was yet available about injuries or damage.

Israel has mounted a huge air campaign in Lebanon since Sept. 23 against what it says are Hezbollah targets, in an escalation from a year of cross-border warfare between Israel and the Lebanese group since the start of Israel’s brutal offensive on Gaza.

Nearly 2,500 people have been killed and more than 11,500 others injured in Israeli attacks since last year, according to Lebanese health authorities.

Israel expanded the conflict on Oct. 1 this year by launching a ground assault into southern Lebanon.