Israeli Strikes Kill 4, Injure 20 in Southern Lebanon; Hezbollah Claims Drone Attack

Lebanon's Ministry of Health reported on Sunday that four people were killed and 20 others injured in Israeli airstrikes targeting areas in southern Lebanon. The casualty count followed an earlier report from southern Lebanon's Civil Defense, which stated two individuals died when an Israeli strike hit a residential building in the town of Arbasalim after its residents were warned to evacuate.

The Israeli military stated that the strikes were a response to Hezbollah launching two drones toward its forces in southern Lebanon. The IDF claimed its forces shot down one of the drones without sustaining any casualties, calling the launch a "blatant violation."

Early Sunday, Israeli warplanes conducted a series of raids on southern Lebanon. Lebanese media reported that Israeli aircraft carried out two strikes on the town of Nabatieh al-Fawqa and its surroundings, as well as targeting the Sisters' neighborhood in Nabatieh city, which resulted in the destruction of a three-story residential building. Israeli artillery also shelled the Douha Kfarman area near Nabatieh, while Israeli warplanes and reconnaissance aircraft continued to fly over the region.

Lebanese media also reported that an Israeli airstrike hit the "Ghandour" hospital in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, causing damage to the hospital and its vicinity. Yedioth Ahronoth cited sources claiming the hospital was empty and being used as a Hezbollah base.

In a parallel development, the Israeli military announced the launch of a surprise, high-level exercise simulating a multi-front scenario to test the readiness of forces and command in facing simultaneous security challenges. The exercise involved commanders from various branches and reserve forces, aiming to assess coordination and readiness for a wide-scale, multi-front confrontation.

These events occur amidst escalating tensions on the Lebanese-Israeli border, characterized by reciprocal attacks and threats between the Israeli military and Hezbollah, with the Israeli army increasing its preparedness for various security scenarios.