Illustrative image.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has acknowledged losing two more soldiers to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, as the group stepped up its attacks.
A soldier from the Golani Brigade’s 12th Battalion was killed by mortar fire on May 14, according to the IDF, which confirmed that Hezbollah was in response. The very next day, May 15, a platoon commander from the same unit was killed by a “Hezbollah explosive drone attack,” the military said.
The two were the six and seventh IDF soldiers to be killed in southern Lebanon since the start of a ceasefire — brokered by the United States — and the 19th and 20th since hostilities escalated amid the Iran war. A civilian contractor was also killed in southern Lebanon.
Staff Sgt. Negev Dagan killed on May 14. (Israeli Defense Forces)
Cpt. Maoz Israel Recanati killed on May 15. (Israel Defense Forces)
Hezbollah’s drone units have inflicted some serious losses on the IDF since the start of the ceasefire in Lebanon last month, and in recent days it increased its attacks in a notable manner, mainly using fiber optic-guided first-person view (FPV) suicide quadcopter.
Between May 15 and 16, the group shared footage showing eight strikes with FPV quadcopters, with the majority of the strikes targeting engineering equipment of the IDF.
Amid the escalation, a 45-day extension of fragile ceasefire was announced following a third round of Israeli-Lebanese talks in the U.S on May 15.
Hezbollah has responded since then. In a statement issued on May 16 — commemorating the failure of the May 17 Agreement of 1983 peace agreement with Israel —, the group rejected any U.S. pressure, and called on the Lebanese government not to go too far in its talks with Israel, all while stressing that it will continue to resist until the IDF withdraws from southern Lebanon.
The ceasefire will likely hold on, as neither the IDF nor Hezbollah will resume major military operations. However, clashes are certain to continue.
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first usil never respected cease fires in palestine and lebanon. for like 15 monthes they violated airspace, illegally occupied land destroyed homes churches mosks villages cities killed civilians football teams beekeeper electrician women children babies destroyed hospitals universities bombed the capital of lebanon. second during fake ceasefire there are hundred times more casualties in lebanon mainly innocent civilians murdered by the iof.