BEIRUT: An Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon on Friday killed a first responder from a rescue team affiliated with a Hezbollah-allied group and a telecoms technician carrying out maintenance work.
Two Israeli military drones launched the attack on a maintenance team working in the southern Lebanese village of Tayr Harfa.
The victims were identified as Youssef Fadi Jalloul, an employee of Power Tech, a company that undertakes maintenance work for MTC Touch, and Ghaleb Al-Hajj, 53, a rescuer with the Islamic Risala Scout Association, a group affiliated with Hezbollah’s ally the Amal Movement.
Several civilians injured in the attack were taken to nearby hospitals.
Israeli attacks continued amid reports suggesting Hezbollah is set to declare a public mobilization.
The latest escalation came two days after Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant threatened to step up military activity in the border region in preparation for open war.
Sirens sounded in the Kiryat Shmona and Margaliot settlements warning of possible drone attacks.
Israeli drones raided Kfarkila and Blida in Marjayoun, while artillery targeted Rachaya Al-Fakhar in the eastern sector.
The outskirts of Zebqine, Yarin, and Jebbayn in the western sector were subject to heavy shelling. Israeli artillery also targeted Khiam and the Al-Labbouneh–Naqoura area.
Israeli attacks using phosphorus shells resulted in a fire in a forested area east of the town of Odaisseh.
Incendiary and phosphorus shells also struck Mount Labouneh, and areas near the towns of Naqoura and Alma Al-Shaab.
Hezbollah said that it destroyed recently installed surveillance equipment at the Israeli Misgav Am military site with a “direct hit.”
The militant group also targeted the Israeli Al-Malikiyah military site with a dawn artillery attack.
Israeli troops responded by shelling and destroying a house in the town of Alma Al-Shaab in an attack that also damaged nearby property, crops and homes.
MP Mohammed Raad, head of Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc, warned that “what Israel is doing today in Gaza, it will do in any country it considers weak and from which it senses division and readiness for surrender.”
He described any attempt to achieve a settlement to the conflict as “theatrics,” and highlighted the importance of “cohesive ranks and understanding the seriousness of Israel’s goals.”