Three Lebanese soldiers killed in Israeli attack in southern Lebanon
A Lebanese army soldier stands by the rubble of a destroyed building at the site of a previous Israeli air strike on the village of Aito in northern Lebanon on October 15, 2024. (AFP Photo)
Three Lebanese soldiers, including an officer, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of the village of Yatar in southern Lebanon, the Lebanese army confirmed on Thursday.
The soldiers were evacuating wounded personnel when they were targeted, according to a statement from the army’s X account.
“The Israeli enemy targeted Lebanese army personnel in the outskirts of the town of Yater – Bint Jbeil in the south, while carrying out an operation to evacuate the wounded, which led to the death of 3 martyrs, including an officer,” the statement said.
Escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah
The incident is part of escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which have been involved in controlled clashes since October 8, 2023. The Israeli military has launched numerous airstrikes across southern Lebanon, including Tyre and the Bekaa Valley.
Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) have reported hitting over 160 Hezbollah targets and killing 20 militants in recent days.
At least 11 Lebanese soldiers have been killed by Israeli fire since September 23, according to army announcements.
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin expressed “deep concern” over the strikes on the Lebanese army in a call with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant on Wednesday.
He “emphasised the importance of taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the Lebanese Armed Forces” and UN peacekeepers, Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said.
Civilian casualties and displacement on the rise in Lebanon
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health reports that since October 8, a total of 2,574 people have been killed, including 104 children and 194 women, with over 12,000 injured. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians, with over 486,000 people reportedly fleeing to Syria.
The Lebanese government continues to monitor the situation as displacement from the south to Beirut and northern regions intensifies.
