Hezbollah confronts Israeli advances near Aitaroun and Markaba

BEIRUT — Hezbollah said Sunday it carried out several attacks against the Israeli army in south Lebanon, particularly near Markaba (Marjayoun district) and Aitaroun (Bint Jbeil).

Hezbollah said it targeted Israeli positions along the border with gunfire, and that rockets were fired at the Israeli settlements of Nahariya and Kiryat Shmona, whose residents it had warned to evacuate the previous day.

The attacks came as the Israeli army continued to attack south Lebanon, killing more than 20 people since the morning, according to local reports.

Near Aitaroun, Hezbollah said it fired rockets and machine guns at Israeli soldiers and vehicles at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday as they attempted to advance toward the village. Clashes continued until 3 a.m. Sunday, during a new attempted advance by Israeli forces.

Farther east, at about 3:25 a.m., Hezbollah said it fired rockets at Israeli army vehicles on the outskirts of Markaba.

Since the start of its offensive in Lebanon, Israel’s military has deployed heavily along the border, saying it is expanding its positions. Since the 2024 cease-fire, Israeli forces have occupied at least six positions in south Lebanon.

Hezbollah also claimed several attacks in northern Israel:

— At about 1:30 a.m., rockets were fired at Nahariya. The strike followed evacuation warnings issued Saturday by Hezbollah for the coastal city, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the Lebanese border, and for Kiryat Shmona.

— At 1:45 a.m., rockets targeted the Biranit Barracks, headquarters of the Israeli army’s 91st Division.

— At about 3 a.m., Hezbollah said it attacked the Malikiya site, across from Aitaroun, with a guided missile after Israeli troops attempted to advance toward the village. The group said the strike inflicted losses. The site was targeted again with rockets at about 3:50 a.m.

— At about 6:30 a.m., Hezbollah said it launched a swarm of drones toward Kiryat Shmona.