UPDATE - Israel strikes Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon

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By Abdul Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli army said Saturday it carried out overnight airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon.

A military spokesman said the strikes were in response to anti-tank missiles fired Friday by the Lebanese group at Israel.

Military compounds and an anti-tank missile launcher were among targets struck by Israeli aircraft, according to the army.

“In addition, the Israeli Defense Forces attacked an anti-tank launcher located in the border,” the army added.

The Israeli army stressed that its forces are “prepared and ready for all scenarios in the various sectors and will continue to act for the security of the citizens of Israel.”

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah on the Israeli statement.

The Israeli army announced on Friday the death of a soldier on the Lebanese border, after Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation.

Amid the conflict in the Gaza Strip, tension has flared along the border between Israel and Lebanon, with exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.

The border clashes have been the deadliest since Hezbollah and Israel fought a full-scale war in 2006, when the Lebanese group struck major Israeli cities with rockets, causing significant damage.

More than 1,000 Lebanese were killed in the war, while much of southern Lebanon -- a Hezbollah stronghold -- was devastated by Israeli attacks.

The border tension comes as Israel continued a relentless bombardment campaign on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Israeli border towns Oct. 7, putting the territory’s 2.3 million residents under a total siege and a blockade of food, fuel and medical supplies.

At least 4,137 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Palestinian enclave, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi