Hezbollah said it targeted "a patrol of Israeli soldiers and military vehicles in the Maroun al-Ras plain" in Lebanese territory with artillery fire this morning, causing casualties.

This is the first operation claimed by Hezbollah on Friday, reporting an Israeli invasion into Lebanon territory.

In recent days, following the Israeli army's announcement of a ground offensive, the party has repeatedly claimed to have attacked and repelled Israeli forces attempting to infiltrate or capture Lebanese localities.

This operation is part of a series of attacks claimed by Hezbollah since this morning.

The party also stated that it struck a Merkava tank near the "Malkiya" site with a "guided missile," causing it to catch fire. According to the party, this attack resulted in several casualties. The fighters also hit an Israeli artillery platform south of Kiryat Shmona with missiles, as well as the Ilanya base, the city of Safed, and the Rowaissat al-Alam site in the occupied Kfar Shuba Heights.

Approximately 50 rockets or shell fragments have fallen in the area over the past 24 hours, according to the head of the regional council of Metula, in northern Israel, cited by Haaretz. These strikes caused material damage and fires.

Hezbollah’s 'abandoned' military equipment

Meanwhile, the Israeli army has published a series of photos and videos allegedly of its "operations" in southern Lebanon.

In a message on X, the Israeli army's Arabic-speaking spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, claimed that soldiers "discovered dozens of combat equipment abandoned" by Hezbollah fighters.

"In recent days, forces from the 188th Armored Brigade have engaged in ground combat in southern Lebanon, conducting raids, particularly in terrorist complexes hidden among villages," he wrote. He added that during these raids, "saboteurs were eliminated in clashes or airstrikes." Among the equipment allegedly found by the Israeli army: Ammunition, rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, and projectiles.

Videos published alongside Adraee's message show soldiers walking through the damaged streets of a village and entering homes.

L'Orient Today was unable to immediately confirm where and when these images were taken.