Hezbollah drones have killed an IDF soldier and targeted a helicopter sent to airlift wounded troops, as Israel ordered the forced evacuation of seven more towns in southern Lebanon.
An Israeli unit operating in the occupied Lebanese border town of Taybeh came under attack on Sunday. The strike killed a 19-year-old soldier, identified as Sergeant Idan Fooks, and wounded six others, including four seriously, according to the IDF.
When a helicopter was dispatched to airlift the wounded, two additional drones were launched toward the troops, according to footage circulating online. The IDF said one of the drones was intercepted, while another exploded near the forces and the aircraft without causing further casualties.
Despite a US-mediated ceasefire that began on April 16 and was extended until mid-May, Israeli troops have continued military operations north of the Litani River, expanding a ‘buffer zone’ that stretches around 10 km into Lebanon.
On Sunday, Israel said it launched “artillery and aerial strikes” targeting Hezbollah operatives and sites it claimed were used “to advance attacks against IDF soldiers.” Lebanon’s Health Ministry said the attacks killed 14 people, including two women and two children, and wounded 37, marking the deadliest day since the ceasefire began.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the military was “acting with force” under rules agreed with the US and Lebanon, including “freedom of action” to respond to attacks and “neutralize emerging threats.”
Hezbollah rejected the accusation, saying its operations were a “legitimate response” to the Israeli invasion of the country.
At least 2,294 people have been killed and 7,544 wounded, including 100 medics and healthcare workers, since the fighting began on March 2, according to a cumulative toll released by Lebanon’s Health Ministry.