Hezbollah attack on Israel leaves one dead and many wounded
Tensions are reaching fever pitch between Hezbollah and Israel following reports that the latter is preparing for an imminent invasion of Lebanon which is worrying the Biden administration.
An alleged Hezbollah drone attack on northern Israel on June 5th killed one Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reserve soldier and wounded 10 others, The Times of Israel and agencies reported.
The IDF confirmed the death of 39-year-old Staff Sgt. (res.) Refael Kauders from Tzur Hadassah. He served in the Alon Brigade’s 5030th Battalion as a Military Rabbinate coordinator.
Lebanese militant group Hezbollah — with whom Israel has been engaging in cross-border strikes for the past few months in the wake of its Gaza war— said it had launched several explosive drones at an army position in the area.
According to the IDF, the drones impacted within a few minutes of each other. The second targeted rescue crews who arrived to treat those wounded by the first. Hezbollah has employed such a tactic several times.
Hezbollah claimed the attack was in response to recent deadly IDF strikes in southern Lebanon. An attack on June 4th in Naqoura left a Hezbollah member dead.
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Magen David Adom director-general Eli Bin told Israel’s Channel 12 news that 11 people were wounded in the attack. One person was left in critical condition and later died. Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya said seven victims were brought to the medical center. Ziv Hospital in Safed reported another two.
The military noted that at least nine of those wounded were soldiers.
The IDF also revealed that it had carried out a series of retaliatory strikes throughout southern Lebanon — including Hezbollah infrastructure in Naqoura and Matmoura, buildings used by the terror group in Ayta ash-Shab and an observation post in Khiam. Troops shelled a number of areas with artillery to “remove threats.”
Israel’s chief of general staff said on June 4th that the country “is very prepared” to declare war on Hezbollah — though the United States reportedly cautioned the country against it until ceasefire talks on the war in Gaza come to a definite conclusion.
France has tried to mediate conflict between Israel and Lebanon, though on May 30th, the country’s foreign ministry spokesperson said that Paris had yet to receive any word from Israel on a proposal to reduce tension between the two countries.
The Times of Israel and agencies
