Missile exchange by Israel, Hezbollah sparks fears of war escalating

Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across southern Lebanon early Sunday in what it called a pre-emptive strike to avert a large Hezbollah rocket and missile attack.

The militant group responded, saying it fired hundreds of rockets and drones to avenge the killing of a top commander last month.

Both sides halted the heavy exchange of fire by midmorning, signalling no immediate further escalation. It came as Egypt hosted highlevel talks aimed at a ceasefire in the 10-month-old Israel-Hamas war in Gaza that diplomats hope will ease regional tensions.

Both Israel and Hezbollah said they aimed only at military targets. Israel’s military said one soldier with the navy was killed and two others were wounded either by an interceptor for incoming fire, or by shrapnel from one. Two Hezbollah fighters and a militant from an allied group were killed, the groups said.

Around 100 Israeli Air Force fighter jets have struck and eliminated thousands of Hezbollah rocket launcher barrels aimed at northern and central Israel, according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).