Lebanese civilian killed by Israeli sniper in southern Lebanon

BEIRUT

Israeli forces killed a Lebanese civilian on Wednesday in the country's southern town of Kafr Kela, local media reported.

The Lebanese citizen was killed in his car when an Israeli sniper shot him dead, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA).

The NNA also reported that Israeli artillery had engaged in cross-border shelling of several Lebanese southern towns, including Ramya, Beit Lif, Aita al-Shaab, Marwahin, and Blida.

This comes as tension has flared along the border between Lebanon and Israel amid intermittent exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, in the deadliest clashes since the two sides fought a full-scale war in 2006.

While the toll of Lebanese civilians killed by the Israeli army in the same period stands at 23, including three journalists and three children, that of Hezbollah fighters killed by the Israeli forces since Oct. 8 stands at 117, according to previous statements by the group.

The border tension comes amid Israel's military offensive in the Gaza Strip, following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7. -

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar