Hezbollah targets north Israel in response to Israeli attacks on civilians

Hezbollah attacked Wednesday northern Israel with missiles and explosive-laden drones.

Israel and Hezbollah have exchanged regular cross-border fire since Palestinian militant group Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel sparked war in the Gaza Strip.

In recent weeks Hezbollah has stepped up its attacks, which it says are in support of Gazans and its ally Hamas, and Israel's military has struck deeper into Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah said in a statement that it had targeted buildings used by Israeli soldiers in Metula, Shlomi, al-Manara, Hanita and Avivim.

It said the five attacks are in response to Israeli attacks on villages and civilians in south Lebanon.

Israeli warplanes meanwhile raided forests in Aita al-Shaab and Ramia while artillery shelled the outskirts of al-Naqoura, Kfarshouba, Halta and Kfarhamam.

Hezbollah later targeted a command center in Ya'ara with suicide drones and soldiers and surveillance equipment in the al-Raheb and the Malkia posts while the Israeli army bombed Blida, Yaroun, and al-Rihan, including with white phosphorus. Hezbollah also targeted another command center in the Biranit barracks with a Burkan missile.

Israeli warplanes had raided overnight the southern border towns of Houla, Aita al-Shaab, Maroun al-Ras, Aitaroun, Kfarkela and al-Khiam as Hezbollah attacked Tuesday 9 Israeli posts.

In Lebanon, at least 390 people have been killed in nearly seven months of cross-border violence, mostly militants but also more than 70 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

Israel says 13 soldiers and nine civilians have been killed on its side of the border.

Tens of thousands of people have been displaced on both sides.