Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon amid escalating tensions

By Ahmed Gouda and Ali Semerci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Israel launched attacks against targets belonging to the Hezbollah group in southern Lebanon early Wednesday, according to the military.

An unnamed spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces said elements of Israeli forces attacked some Hezbollah targets, without providing further details, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

Also, Israeli warplanes launched attacks on Hezbollah targets in two villages in southern Lebanon, according to Beirut-based Al Mayadeen TV.

On Monday, Hezbollah said it shelled five Israeli positions near the border with Lebanon.

Tensions have flared along the Israeli-Lebanese border amid an exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.

The escalation came amid Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas into Israeli border towns.

At least 471 people were killed and 342 injured in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza late Tuesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday. Israel has denied responsibility for the attack.

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed since the start of the operation.