Intense fighting has erupted along the Lebanon–Israel border as Hezbollah militants engaged Israeli forces in close-range combat near southern Lebanon. Hezbollah confirmed direct clashes with the Israel Defense Forces around Deir Seryan, where troops reportedly attempted to advance before coming under heavy fire.
Hezbollah Confrontation
The Iran-backed group stated that its fighters confronted an Israeli infantry force attempting to infiltrate near the border, forcing them to retreat under sustained assault. This marks one of the most significant ground engagements since the fragile ceasefire period.
IDF Response and Casualties
The IDF acknowledged exchanges of fire, stating that soldiers were wounded during the confrontation and that retaliatory strikes targeted Hezbollah positions. Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes on what the military described as Hezbollah infrastructure, while artillery shelled launch sites along the border.
The Lebanese army also reported injuries after being caught near strike zones. A Lebanese soldier was wounded by shrapnel from an Israeli shell, according to military sources.
Escalating Violence
With mortar fire, airstrikes, and ground clashes unfolding in rapid succession, the border region has once again become a flashpoint of intense close-quarters warfare. The violence represents one of the most volatile escalations since the fragile ceasefire period, raising fears of a broader conflict.
Hezbollah's media office released a statement saying the operation was in response to Israeli aggression and that the group is prepared for further confrontations. The IDF has reinforced its northern command and placed troops on high alert.
International observers have called for restraint, but both sides appear entrenched in their positions. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon urged all parties to cease hostilities and return to the ceasefire arrangement.
