Israeli strike kills three in southern Lebanon

The Israeli military said Tuesday it has killed three members of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement in southern Lebanon, amid fears of further escalation in the border area between the two countries.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, another two people were injured in the attack which targeted the town of Blida, near the Israeli border.

Hezbollah did not initially comment on the incident.

However, the group claimed several attacks on targets in northern Israel.

The Israeli army also said it had attacked additional areas in Lebanon with artillery.

The violence is stoking fears that the conflict between pro-Iranian Hezbollah and the Israeli military could worsen.

Since the war in the Gaza Strip began on October 7 between Israel and Palestinian extremist group Hamas almost a year ago, there have been almost daily military confrontations in the border area between Israeli forces and Hezbollah.

Deaths have been recorded on both sides - most of them members of Hezbollah.

The pro-Iranian Shiite militia says it is acting in solidarity with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and will cease its attacks on Israel if the "aggression against Gaza and the Palestinian people" stop.