Click to see full-size image. By Al-Manar TV correspondent Ali Shoeib.
Hezbollah launched a series of attacks from southern Lebanon on January 7, targeting troops, sites and equipment of the Israeli Defense Forces.
In four separate statements, the group announced that its fighters targeted gatherings of Israeli troops near the sites and settlements of al-Manara, al-Malikiyah, al-Matula, and Mitat. In four other statements, it said its fighters fired Burkan heavy rockets at the Zarat carracks and shelled the sites of Radar, Al-Marj as well as the Shumira barracks.
Hezbollah announced in another statement that it had destroyed a Merkava main battle tank of the IDF in the site of Ruwaisa al-Asi using Russian-made Kornet anti-tank guided missiles.
The attacks were carried out “to support the steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and in support of their brave and honorable resistance,” Hezbollah said in its statements.
Hebrew media reported the launch of at least 15 projectiles towards Israel from southern Lebanon during the day. However, the IDF didn’t announce any casualties.
In response to Hezbollah’s attacks, the IDF announced that it had carried out strikes against several targets of the group in southern Lebanon.
Israeli troops struck a Hezbollah cell spotted near the town of Marwahin, and fighter jets hit several buildings used by the group in the towns of Labbouneh, Majdal Zoun and Bint Jbeil, the IDF said. It added that secondary explosions were seen in some of the buildings that were hit, indicating they were used as weapons depots.
In addition, Israeli fighters were spotted flying at a very low altitude and dropping flares over southern Lebanon, which is unusual.
The clashes on the Lebanese-Israeli border first broke out after the start of the war in Gaza, with Hezbollah and its allies carrying out attacks in support of the Strip.
As of January 7, the border clashes have resulted in four civilian deaths on the Israeli side, as well as the deaths of nine IDF soldiers. On the Lebanese side, more than 180 have been killed. The toll includes 144 Hezbollah fighters, 14 of whom were killed in Syria, 25 Palestinians, a Lebanese soldier, and at least 21 civilians.
