Casualties on Israel-Lebanon border as army trades fire with Hezbollah

Casualties were reported along the Israel-Lebanon border Saturday as the army traded fire with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah amid fears of a new front opening as Israel battles Hamas.

In south Lebanon, Hezbollah said four of its fighters were killed. Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad said one of its fighters was also killed.

In northern Israel, a strike in the Margaliot area of the border wounded two Thai farm workers, Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency medical service said.

One was wounded in the chest and the other sustained a limb injury, the service said of the workers, who are among the 30,000 Thai labourers in Israel.

Israel’s army said Hezbollah anti-tank fire towards the village of Baram had wounded three of its soldiers, one of them seriously.

The army said it hit a Hezbollah position Saturday evening that had been targeting the border town of Shlomi with anti-tank missiles.

Israel already ordered the evacuation of Kiryat Shmona, a border town which is home to some 25,000 people, as the area has come under fire from Hezbollah and allied Palestinian factions.

Hezbollah said it targeted several Israeli positions along the border on Saturday including in the contested Shebaa Farms area.

A senior Hezbollah official warned that the movement stood ready to step up its involvement as Israel masses troops on the Gaza border vowing to destroy Palestinian militant group Hamas in response to its shock cross-border attacks on October 7.

“Let’s be clear, as events unfold, if something comes up that calls for greater intervention by us, we will do so,” said Hezbollah number two Naim Qassem.

Saturday’s exchanges came as Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant visited the northern border, where he called on troops to remain “vigilant”.

“Hezbollah has decided to participate in the fighting, and is paying a price for it. We must be vigilant and prepare for every possible (scenario). Great challenges await us,” Gallant said.