UPDATE - Israel claims killing commander of Hezbollah's air defense force

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Said Amori

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israel on Saturday said it killed a commander of Hezbollah's air defense force in eastern Lebanon.

“Our forces eliminated Maitham Mustafa Al-Attar, who was considered an important expert in Hezbollah's air defense force,” the Israeli army said in a statement.

"Al-Attar was a crucial experienced element in Hezbollah's air defense system and played a role in planning and executing various attacks against Israel,” it added.

Hezbollah in a statement said it mourned the death of Maitham Mustafa Al-Attar, 33, from the town of Chaat in Bekaa district, "martyred on the path to Jerusalem."

Early in the day, Lebanon's National News Agency said a person was killed in an Israeli drone airstrike that targeted a car in Chaat.

Since the war in Gaza began last October, there have been daily exchanges of fire, and thousands of civilians have been displaced on both sides of the shared border. A recent flare up in escalation has led to fears of an all-out war.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala​​​​​​​