8 Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon, Netanyahu expresses condolences to families

Israel stated on Wednesday that eight of its soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon as troops fought with Hezbollah militants on the ground after the start of an Israeli incursion into the country. Tensions in the region have escalated as Israel pledged to retaliate against Iran’s ballistic missile barrage.
The Israeli military did not provide any details on how its soldiers were killed but had earlier stated that there had been “close-range” fighting with Hezbollah. The clashes occurred on the second day of Israel’s ground invasion of southern Lebanon.
Earlier today, the Israeli military released footage of its 36th Division entering Lebanon. At present, two Israeli divisions are active in southern Lebanon, aiming to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure in the area.

Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed militant group, said its fighters had engaged Israeli forces in at least one Lebanese town, Maroun al-Ras, located about a mile from Avivim, an evacuated Israeli town. The militia claimed it had targeted Avivim with rocket fire.