Beirut [Lebanon], June 9: At least two people have been reported killed in southern Lebanon as cross-border fighting between Hezbollah and Israel continues amid the threat of wider war.
The two killings were the result of Israeli attacks on the outskirts of the town of Aitaroun, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported on Saturday. The agency said Israeli missiles targeted a cafe at a petrol station.
In a statement, Hezbollah accused Israel of "targeting civilians", while Israel's military later said its forces had targeted a Hezbollah fighter in the area. The identities of those killed were not immediately known.
Also on Saturday, Hezbollah said that it had fired Falaq 2 rockets at a military command centre in northern Israel. A security source told the Reuters news agency that it was the first time the rockets had been fired at Israel. Falaq 1 rockets have been used by Hezbollah in attacks on Israel several times.
The violence comes as both Hezbollah and Israel have increased cross-border fighting that has persisted since October of last year, with the Lebanon-based group saying it seeks to draw Israeli resources away from the war in Gaza.
However, Israeli officials have ratcheted up rhetoric in recent days, raising the prospect of more destructive escalation along its northern border.
Earlier this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country was "prepared for very intense operation" along its border with Lebanon.
"One way or another, we will restore security to the north," he said on Wednesday. That day an Israeli soldier was killed in a Hezbollah drone attack in the town of Hurfeish. Ten others were injured.
Source: Fijian Broadcasting Cooperation
