UPDATE – Lebanon’s Hezbollah reports 2 more fighters killed in clashes with Israeli army

UPDATES DEATH TOLL, REVISES HEADLINE, LEAD, ADDS DETAILS

By Wassim Saifuldine

BEIRUT (AA) – Lebanese group Hezbollah said Monday that two more fighters had been killed in the ongoing border clashes with the Israeli army in southern Lebanon, bringing the group's death toll to 166 since Oct. 8.

The two fighters were identified as Samah Asaad Asaad (Abu Tarab) from the town of Kfarkela and Ali Said Yahya from Tayibe town in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah did not provide any details about the circumstances leading to their death, saying they were killed on the road to Jerusalem, a phrase used by the group for its fighters killed by Israel.

Earlier on Monday, Hezbollah said that it had repelled an attack by Israeli forces off the southern border.

There was no comment yet from Israel on the developments.

Tensions have escalated along Lebanon’s border with Israel since the Israeli army launched a deadly military offensive on the Gaza Strip following a Hamas attack on Oct. 7.

The Israeli army has since been waging a destructive war on Gaza, leading to 25,295 deaths and wounding 63,000 others, according to Palestinian authorities.

* Writing by Mohammad Sio