By Abdelraouf Arna'out
JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli army on Friday claimed its troops and the Lebanese group Hezbollah exchanged fire on the Lebanon-Israel border.
In a statement, the Israeli army claimed its troops operating near the northern town of Margaliot, adjacent to the Lebanese border, came under fire.
The statement said the Israeli army returned the fire, adding the army was scanning the area for possible infiltrators into the Israeli territory.
The Lebanese Hezbollah group has yet to comment on the Israeli statement.
Qassam al-Qaderi, the mayor of Kafrchouba town in southern Lebanon, told Anadolu that 70% of the town's residents have left it after coming under Israeli bombing.
"Kafrchouba is a border town close to Israel, and it is always the first town to be affected by the events in Palestine," he said.
Tensions have been escalating on the Israeli-Lebanese border since the Palestine-Israel war erupted on Oct. 7.
Exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and the Israeli army have caused deaths and injuries on both sides.
The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began 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 the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.
Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.
At least 4,137 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.
*Writing by Ahmed Asmar