Shafaq News- Beirut (Updated at 10:33)

Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling killed at least 18 people and injured 33 others across several towns in southern Lebanon overnight, the Lebanese Health Ministry reported on Friday, while Israel said operations against Hezbollah positions were continuing.

Of the total fatalities, seven were recorded in Harouf in Nabatieh district and six in the Al-Ashamiyeh area between Al-Sharqiyah and Doueir in the same district.

Local media said heavy shelling and air raids hit Nabatieh city and surrounding areas, including Kfarjouz, Kfarreman, Zebdine, Nabatieh Al-Fawqa, Habboush, Sajd, and Jabal Al-Rafii. Israeli forces also targeted Deir Al-Zahrani in Saida district, as well as Bani Hayyan, Srifa, and Qlawieh in Tyre district.

Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 3,912 people and injured 11,873 others, including women and children, according to the Health Ministry.

The Israeli military claimed it was continuing to target Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure in southern Lebanon in “response to repeated violations of the ceasefire agreement.”

Hezbollah, meanwhile, said it destroyed three Israeli Merkava tanks and struck a unit attempting to evacuate casualties in a two-stage ambush on the northern slope of Ali Al-Taher in southern Lebanon. Fighters used guided anti-tank missiles against an armored and infantry formation before firing rockets and artillery at the remaining troops, then attacked a second unit advancing under smoke cover with rockets and mortar shells.

The Israeli army also reported that four soldiers, including a battalion commander, were killed in fighting in southern Lebanon, without specifying the locations. Military figures show that more than 30 soldiers and officers have been killed and 1,347 wounded on the Lebanese front since operations resumed in early March.