Israel says 4 soldiers killed in Lebanon clashes; Hezbollah claims tank destruction

Israel announced Friday that four of its soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon during clashes with Hezbollah.

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three Merkava tanks with guided missiles, which led to their destruction and setting them on fire

Hezbollah stated its fighters destroyed three Israeli tanks and that fighting was ongoing. Lebanese state media reported that Israeli airstrikes in the south resulted in at least 18 fatalities. This escalation occurred just a day after the United States and Iran reached an agreement to end the Middle East war on all fronts, including Lebanon.

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The clashes are still ongoing

Hezbollah detailed its actions, claiming its fighters targeted "three Merkava tanks with guided missiles, which led to their destruction and setting them on fire." This followed an alleged attempt by Israeli forces to infiltrate strategic hills overlooking the town of Nabatieh. The group also reported repelling a four-day Israeli offensive towards these hills, using drones, rockets, and artillery to force a retreat.

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failed

Mohammad Raad, head of Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc, asserted that Israel's war in Lebanon had "failed" to eliminate the group. He urged Lebanese authorities to pursue indirect negotiations to halt the fighting, stipulating that Israel must cease hostilities and begin withdrawal within 60 days. However, the Israeli military affirmed its intention to continue operations in southern Lebanon, even after the U.S.-Iran agreement, citing the need to remove threats within its self-declared security zone and beyond.

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adopt a framework for indirect negotiations with the enemy