Iran-backed Hezbollah has intensified its drone and rocket campaign against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in southern Lebanon, marking a sharp escalation in cross-border hostilities. A deadly drone strike near Qantara killed 19-year-old Sgt. Liem Ben Hamo of the Golani Brigade, with additional soldiers injured in separate attacks in Bint Jbeil. Hezbollah claimed responsibility, stating its drone operations specifically targeted Israeli armored units. The IDF reported that rocket fire toward northern Israel violated existing ceasefire understandings. In response, Israeli forces carried out retaliatory strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure and intercepted multiple aerial threats. WATCH

Hezbollah has intensified its drone operations for a second consecutive day, targeting Israeli troop positions in southern Lebanon and further straining an already fragile ceasefire. The Israel Defense Forces responded by deploying aerial interceptors against suspected UAV incursions over operational zones. The IDF confirmed that one soldier sustained critical injuries and another was lightly wounded in a drone strike carried out the previous day. Both were evacuated to hospital, and their families have been notified. In a separate confirmed incident, 19-year-old Sgt. Idan Fooks was killed in a Hezbollah drone attack, with six additional soldiers wounded. WATCH