Hezbollah-Israel Conflict: Clashes Intensify in Eastern Lebanon

Hezbollah clashed with Israeli troops in eastern Lebanon as war intensified between Israel and the Iran-backed group. Israeli airstrikes continued in Hezbollah-controlled Beirut, with significant civilian casualties reported. The conflict, sparked by Hezbollah's retaliation over a political killing, has led to a mass exodus in southern Lebanon.

Fighters from Hezbollah engaged in conflict with Israeli soldiers in eastern Lebanon during a covert Israeli operation on Monday. This marked the second such encounter in the region amid escalating hostilities between Israel and the Iranian-backed group, now entering its second week of warfare.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the latest clash, where Hezbollah fighters claimed to have confronted Israeli helicopters and intruding forces with suitable weaponry. The tensions, doused in historical animosities, flared anew after Hezbollah sought revenge for the assassination of a former Iranian leader, prompting fierce Israeli reprisals.

Civilians have not been spared, with Lebanon's health ministry reporting nearly 400 deaths, including many children and women since recent Israeli strikes began. Meanwhile, Israeli drone attacks targeted Hezbollah-linked sites, further inflaming a region already siginificantly impacted by war, displacement, and military confrontations.

(With inputs from agencies.)