An Israeli army truck transporting a tank, in Upper Galilee, northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon, on March 31, 2026. (Credit: AFP archive photo)
BEIRUT — An Israeli reservist was seriously wounded "during a skirmish in southern Lebanon," the Israeli army announced Friday, with Israeli media reporting fighting between a brigade and a Hezbollah fighter in Bint Jbeil.
This is the second time since the cease-fire took effect in Lebanon that the Israeli army has reported casualties in its ranks following clashes in the South.
"The soldier was evacuated to receive medical treatment at the hospital and his family has been informed," the military said.
According to Channel 11 military correspondent Itay Blumental, the soldier was wounded Thursday around 6 p.m. in Bint Jbeil during an operation by a unit of the Yiftach Reserve Brigade, when Israeli soldiers "encountered a terrorist who opened fire on them from a building."
The militant "has not yet been located," and Israeli artillery struck "terrorist targets in the area," Blumental added.
Bint Jbeil, located a few kilometers from the Blue Line in the more than 600-square-kilometer "buffer zone" occupied by Israel, was seized by Israeli forces in mid-April. Its buildings and infrastructure have since been subjected to a large-scale demolition campaign. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz visited troops there on Wednesday.
Hezbollah has not claimed responsibility for any attacks since the start of the relative truce on June 20.
Last Sunday, an Israeli soldier was also killed in Deir Siryan, in the Marjayoun district, in what the Israeli army described as a similar incident. The suspected militant responsible for the shooting was "eliminated," according to the military.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army carried out several attacks across southern Lebanon overnight from Thursday to Friday, demolishing houses in several areas, according to our correspondent.
Around 10:30 p.m., the army carried out a large demolition in Beit Yahoun, in the Bint Jbeil district, the sound of which was heard from far away.
Around 11 p.m., Israeli aircraft raided Braasheet, also in the Bint Jbeil district.
Israeli forces also fired medium machine guns at Beit Yahoun and Haddatha, in the Bint Jbeil district. After midnight, another sweep was reported in Haddatha.
The Israeli air force targeted a pickup truck in Siddiqine, in the Sour district, seriously wounding two people, who were hospitalized.
Around the same time, another demolition took place in Beit Yahoun, along with a raid on Deir Siryan.
After 1 a.m., another demolition shook Markaba, in the Marjayoun district.
Hezbollah is expected to hold funerals Friday for several of its fighters killed in fighting with the Israeli army in southern Lebanon.
Eight are to be buried in Safad al-Battikh, in the Bint Jbeil district, one in Derdghaya, one in Nafakhieh and one in Ramadieh, all in the Sour district.
The Amal Movement, meanwhile, buried seven of its members Thursday in Zibdin, in the Nabatieh district.
Reporting by our correspondent in the South, Muntasser Abdallah
