Four Givati soldiers wounded in clash with Hezbollah fighter in southern Lebanon

Four Givati Brigade soldiers were wounded overnight, between Thursday and Friday, in an encounter with a Hezbollah operative in the village of Beit Yahun in southern Lebanon. Two of the soldiers were moderately wounded and two sustained light injuries. All four were evacuated to a hospital for treatment.

According to the report, the force had gone to rescue a tank in the village when it came under attack. A Hezbollah fighter threw a grenade toward the soldiers, and they returned fire and killed him. Lebanese media then reported air and artillery strikes in the area shortly afterward.

The fighting came as Israel told Lebanon on Thursday that the IDF had completed its deployment in the predefined areas of the security belt in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials were quoted saying the time was now ripe for diplomatic steps that would ensure the Lebanese army operates in place of IDF forces and prevents Hezbollah operatives from returning to areas the IDF withdraws from.

Those diplomatic efforts are reportedly taking place in Washington, where talks are being held to advance the political track. The report also noted earlier coverage that 8 soldiers were wounded by fire at an outpost on the Lebanon border, 5 of them seriously, and that under U.S. pressure the IDF is expected to reduce its forces in southern Lebanon.