ALBAWABA - Recent sources say Israeli air attacks have hit southern Lebanon's Al-Khiam. Hezbollah stated in many instances that it rocketed and artilleried Israeli army positions on the town's outskirts. These strikes coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's urgent meeting today to discuss diplomatic solutions to the Lebanon issue.
Hezbollah said that a guided missile hit an Israeli Merkava tank south of Al-Khiam, six kilometers from the border. The group reported tank fires and crew casualties. Khallat Al-Asafir, Wati Al-Khiam, and Al-Amra saw more Hezbollah attacks on Israeli soldiers.
Israeli tanks were deployed on a hill near Al-Khiam's eastern boundary, marking the largest advance of Israeli troops in southern Lebanon since late September, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.
Hezbollah claimed drone strikes on Shragha and Beit Hillel, missile attacks on Israeli troops in Maalot Tarshiha, and naval targets in Jall Al-Alam and Ras Al-Naqoura. The group said it downed an Israeli Hermes-900 drone over Marjayoun in southern Lebanon and struck Kiryat Shmona, Dalton, and Kfar Vradim.
Israeli airstrikes have targeted southern Lebanon, including Deir Al-Zahrani, Sijud, and other towns, according to Al Jazeera's reporter. Nearby Kfardounine, Tebnine, Zibqin, Khiam, and Shebaa were also struck.
Israeli air assaults on Baalbek in eastern Lebanon killed 63 people, including women and children, and wounded others, according to Lebanese authorities.
The Galilee Hospital in Nahariya treated 13 people injured by Hezbollah rockets on Maalot Tarshiha in northern Israel. The missile firing killed one person and badly wounded three others, according to Israeli emergency services.
Israeli Broadcasting Authority said that Prime Minister Netanyahu would meet to negotiate a diplomatic solution to Lebanon hostilities in response to the growing situation. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told "Israel Hayom" that the northern dispute might be addressed by year's end.
