5 Israeli soldiers injured in bomb blast in southern Lebanon

Five Israeli soldiers were injured, including two seriously, in a roadside bomb explosion in southern Lebanon, local media reported Sunday.

Maariv newspaper said a commander from the elite Maglan unit sustained serious injuries when a device exploded during an operation in southern Lebanon.

Four other soldiers were injured, including one seriously, in the blast, it added.

A military statement earlier said a soldier sustained serious injuries and an officer was moderately wounded in the overnight blast.

It added that a combat officer and another soldier were also lightly wounded in the same incident.

The Israeli army continues daily strikes in Lebanon and exchanges of fire with Hezbollah despite a ceasefire that was announced on April 17 and later extended until the beginning of July.

Since March 2, Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed nearly 3,000 people, injured more than 9,000, and displaced more than 1.6 million -- about one-fifth of the country’s population, according to Lebanese officials.

Drones launched by Hezbollah against Israeli forces in southern Lebanon have become a nightmare for Tel Aviv, which now considers them among "the most complex and dangerous security challenges” facing its forces.

Recently, the Israeli government held an emergency consultation with senior security officials to discuss ways to counter the growing threat of Hezbollah drones against the backdrop of escalating casualties among Israeli soldiers.

*Writing by Rasa Evrensel in Istanbul