Israeli army reports targeting 2 Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon

By Zein Khalil and Stephanie Rady

JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli army said on Saturday that two Hezbollah fighters in southern Lebanon were targeted by a drone, claiming they were about to launch missiles at Israel.

In a statement, the army said its forces “detected two Hezbollah members in the Deir Mimas area, Marjayoun District in southern Lebanon preparing to launch missiles towards Israeli territory.”

“Shortly after they were detected, an Israeli drone bombed the two members,” it added.

The army is also reported to have used artillery shells to target the areas of Kfar Kila and Alma al-Shaab in south Lebanon.

There was no immediate comment from the Lebanese group Hezbollah on the Israeli army’s statement.

Though Hezbollah did not immediately respond to the Israeli army's statement, the Lebanese National News Agency reported that two people were killed on the Khardali Road that connects Marjayoun and Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.

It added that the two were killed by a missile fired by an Israeli drone, but provided no further details.

Fears have grown of a full-fledged war between Israel and the Lebanese resistance group following an exchange of cross-border attacks.

The escalation comes against the backdrop of a deadly Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which has killed more than 38,400 victims since October, following an attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi