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One Israeli soldier killed, nearly dozen wounded in Hezbollah defensive operations

Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement fighters in southern Lebanon. (File photo by AP)

At least one Israeli soldier has been killed and nearly a dozen others injured in two separate attacks carried out by Hezbollah resistance fighters in southern Lebanon, as the group intensifies its defensive operations against occupation forces.

In one operation, a Hezbollah drone struck an Israeli military position, killing a soldier identified as Alexander Filin and wounding seven others, according to the Israeli army.

In a separate attack, a roadside bomb targeted another Israeli force, wounding four soldiers. Israeli media reported that two of the injured are in critical condition.

Hezbollah has recently escalated its military operations against Israeli forces occupying parts of Lebanese territory.

The group's Secretary-General, Sheikh Naim Qassem, said on Wednesday that the resistance has targeted 518 Israeli military vehicles and 85 aircraft, while also shooting down 12 drones and 12 quadcopters.

He also said Israeli forces suffered 1,347 casualties, asserting that Hezbollah had foiled all Israeli plans.

Meanwhile, Israel's violations of the ceasefire continue along the Lebanese border despite the recent memorandum of understanding (MOU)  electronically signed between Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump, aimed at ending the wider war that erupted after Israelis and the United States launched war on Iran on February 28.

Iranian officials have repeatedly specified that halting Israeli attacks across all regional fronts, particularly in Lebanon, is among the main objectives of the Islamabad MoU.

Hezbollah has welcomed the agreement while reiterating Lebanon’s right to self-defense until Israel fully withdraws from Lebanese territory and releases all prisoners.

The Israeli regime, however, has reportedly told Washington that it does not consider itself bound by the agreement, which calls for an immediate and permanent cessation of military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, told the IRIB on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic of Iran has never abandoned its allies, and that a ceasefire in Lebanon is as important to Tehran as the end of the war is in Iran.

"The Islamic Republic has shown that it does not abandon its friends under any circumstances. For us, the ceasefire and end of war in Lebanon were as important as in Iran. In the first article of the MoU, Lebanon is mentioned three times. Respect for Lebanon's territorial integrity and national sovereignty is included."


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