Israeli strike kills Lebanese soldier as cross-border conflict escalates

BEIRUT — A Lebanese soldier was killed on Sunday in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon, the army said.

In a statement, the military said Corporal Hussein Ali Nahle was killed when the attack targeted the town of Kafr Hati, near Sidon.

The Israeli army has expanded its offensive in Lebanon since a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2, despite a ceasefire that took effect in November 2024.

Hezbollah has launched barrages of rockets into Israel since early March, saying the attacks are in response to continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon and the killing of Iran’s then-Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on Feb. 28.

Lebanese authorities say at least 1,422 people have been killed and 4,294 injured in Israeli attacks since the escalation began.