UPDATE – Lebanon’s Hezbollah claims drone attack on Israeli soldiers amid border tension

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, CHANGES LEDE

By Anadolu staff

JERUSALEM (AA) - Lebanese group Hezbollah claimed a drone attack on a military site in northern Israel on Monday amid escalating tensions between the two sides.

Hezbollah said several Israeli soldiers were killed and injured in the attack that targeted a reserve artillery battalion south of Beit Hillel settlement.

The Times of Israel newspaper confirmed that two explosive drones struck near the Beit Hillel settlement.

No reports were yet available about casualties or damage.

The Israeli army, for its part, said that it had struck two Hezbollah rocket launchers in the town of Aita al-Shaab in southern Lebanon.

A military statement claimed that “secondary” explosions were identified following the strikes, alleging the presence of weapon storage facilities in the area.

Tensions have risen along Lebanon's border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv presses ahead with a deadly onslaught on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 35,000 victims since October following an attack by Palestinian group Hamas.

At least 292 Hezbollah fighters have been killed in clashes with Israeli forces since Oct. 8, 2023, according to an Anadolu tally based on statements released by the group.

At least 23 Israelis, including 14 soldiers, have also been killed in cross-border attacks by Hezbollah, according to Israeli media.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio and Ahmed Asmar