A total of 13 Israeli soldiers were killed over two days of intense fighting, as confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Ten soldiers died in clashes with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, while three were killed in Gaza.
This marked a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
On Friday, Hezbollah announced that its fighters carried out 48 attacks against Israeli forces, the highest number since October 8.
The Lebanese group reported targeting 31 groups of Israeli soldiers along the northern Israel-southern Lebanon border with rockets and artillery. Additionally, Hezbollah claimed to have struck seven Israeli Merkava tanks, reportedly causing fatalities.
Hezbollah further stated that it launched attacks on three Israeli settlements near Safed twice, bombarded five military sites, and hit an artillery bunker in northern Israel.
The group also claimed to have forced an Israeli drone out of Lebanese airspace by targeting it with a surface-to-air missile. Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom called this a “record-breaking” number of attacks by Hezbollah in a single day since the escalation began.
In response, Israel continued its large-scale air campaign against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, part of its broader military operation initiated after hostilities erupted on multiple fronts. Lebanese health authorities report that over 2,600 people have been killed and more than 12,200 injured in Israeli airstrikes since the conflict escalated.
The IDF acknowledged its losses, including five reserve soldiers killed during clashes with Hezbollah on Thursday night and 19 others wounded. The Israeli military also reported the deaths of soldiers from multiple brigades, including elite units, as they fought Hezbollah forces entrenched in southern Lebanon.
IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari noted that Israel had struck over 3,200 targets in southern Lebanon, including Hezbollah’s weapons depots and underground command centers.
He stated that the Israeli military had seized thousands of Hezbollah’s weapons, such as anti-tank missiles and explosives, as part of its efforts to dismantle the group’s operational capabilities.
As the conflict rages on, both sides continue to suffer heavy casualties, with Hezbollah intensifying its rocket fire and Israel expanding its military operations, deepening the already volatile situation in the region.