Israeli airstrike injures 3 in southern Lebanon

By Wassim Saifeddine

BEIRUT (AA) – At least three people were injured in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, the Health Ministry said on Monday as tension continues to escalate between Israel and Hezbollah.

A ministry statement said the overnight strike targeted the town of Kfar Kila.

Other Israeli airstrikes were also reported in the towns of Chihine and Borj El Mlouk, according to the state-run National News Agency.

Four tank shells also hit Ayta ash-Shaab in southern Lebanon, the broadcaster said.

No information was yet available about injuries or damage.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, said that its fighters had targeted Israeli surveillance equipment at Metula site in northern Israel with “appropriate weapons,” resulting in a direct hit.

It also claimed rocket attacks on the newly established headquarters of the Israeli army’s 146th Brigade in Ja’aton in northern Israel.

Fears have grown about a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah amid a months-long exchange of cross-border fire, especially with Hezbollah threatening military retaliation after the assassination of its top commander, Fuad Shukr, in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut on July 30.

The escalation comes against the backdrop of an Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip, which has killed nearly 40,000 people since last October following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala