Lebanon’s State Media Says Israeli Strikes There Killed 10 Civilians

Israel’s navy launched new assaults on targets in Lebanon on Thursday, a day after its strikes in southern Lebanon killed a minimum of 10 civilians, essentially the most in months of cross-border combating.

The strikes — which got here in response to a rocket assault from Lebanon on Wednesday that killed one Israeli soldier and wounded eight different individuals — amplified fears that months of cross-border clashes may escalate right into a full-fledged struggle.

On Thursday, Lebanon’s state media reported that 10 civilians had been killed within the Israeli strikes, together with seven members of 1 household within the metropolis of Nabatieh. Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia, stated that six of its fighters had been killed. Israel’s navy stated that among the many useless was a commander in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Drive; the group confirmed the person’s demise however didn’t describe his place.

Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, on Thursday condemned the Israeli navy “aggression” and requested that an pressing grievance in opposition to Israel be introduced earlier than the U.N. Safety Council, based on an announcement from his workplace.

Quickly after, Israel’s navy stated that its fighter jets had carried out extra strikes inside Lebanon in opposition to Hezbollah targets.

The escalations reignited fears {that a} second entrance may open in Israel’s struggle in opposition to Hamas within the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah, a key ally of Hamas, has vowed to answer the Israeli strikes — and Israeli leaders signaled that they, too, have been ready to combat.

The strikes additionally threatened to derail diplomatic efforts by america and others to defuse the cross-border tensions, which flared after the Hamas-led assaults on Israel on Oct. 7.

Israel’s protection minister, Yoav Gallant, stated earlier on Thursday that he had spoken to the U.S. protection secretary, Lloyd J. Austin III, in regards to the “ongoing threats and attacks” from Hezbollah. In a submit on social media, Mr. Gallant stated Israel would guarantee its safety alongside the border with Lebanon by “diplomatic or military means.”

That got here after remarks from the Israeli navy’s chief of employees, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who stated late Wednesday that his forces have been “now focusing on being prepared for war in the north.”