Click to see full-size image. (The Israeli Defense Forces)
Four fighters of Hezbollah were killed late on January 26 when a series of Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon, the heartland of the Iranian-backed group.
In a statement, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said that its fighter jets hit two sites in the town of Beit Lif which were manned by Hezbollah fighters. Another site was struck in the town of Deir Aames, it added.
Hezbollah named four fighters whom it said were killed “on the road to Jerusalem,” its term for those killed by the IDF. Their deaths bring the group’s toll since the beginning of clashes on the Lebanese-Israeli border to 160.
Lebanese media said that the fighters were killed in the Israeli airstrikes that hit Beit Lif. Three other fighters were reportedly wounded. Video footage posted to social media showed ambulances rushing to the scene of the attack.
In an initial response to the deadly airstrikes, Hezbollah targeted several sites of the IDF as well as the settlement of Avivim with rockets. No losses were reported, however.
Hezbollah and its allies began launching attacks against the IDF from southern Lebanon right after the outbreak of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip more than three months ago.
Recently, Israel warned Lebanon that it will step up attacks against Hezbollah if a de-escalation agreement was not reached before the end of the month. Still, the group ignored pressure from the United States and several European countries. Its officials said more than once that de-escalation will be only possible after the end of the war in Gaza.
