Israeli attacks kill 2, injure 8 in southern Lebanon

BEIRUT

Two people were killed and eight others injured in two Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, the Health Ministry said.

An Israeli drone hit a motorbike in the town of Jouaiyya, killing two and injuring six others, the ministry said in a statement.

Another strike targeted the town of the border town of Aitaroun, leaving two people injured, the ministry said.

The ministry also reported Israeli shelling with phosphorus bombs in Shebaa Farms in southern Lebanon, causing a civilian to suffer from suffocation.

State-run National News Agency reported Israeli shelling in the towns of Naqoura, Jebbayn, Tayr Harfa and Zibqin.

No information was yet available about casualties or injuries.

Fears have grown about a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah amid a months-long exchange of cross-border fire.

The escalation comes against the backdrop of an Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip which has killed more than 39,600 victims since October following an attack by the Palestine resistance group, Hamas.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala