The conflict between Iran and Israel is intensifying. On October 2, the Israeli army reported the deaths of eight soldiers during clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon, as Israeli forces advanced 2 kilometers into Lebanese territory for their operation.
A ground battle is currently underway in southern Lebanon, with the Israeli army engaged in direct combat with Hezbollah fighters. In addition to the eight Israeli fatalities, 18 soldiers have sustained injuries. Hezbollah has asserted that it has destroyed three Israeli tanks during the confrontation.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) confirmed the casualties, which include Captain Etan Itzhak Oster, becoming the first Israeli soldier to die in this ground conflict. Following Captain Oster’s death, seven more soldiers were reported killed as fighting escalated.
In response to the violence, Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that six people died in an Israeli attack on Atarun, while three fatalities were confirmed in the village of Debel near the Israeli border.
An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council has been convened to address the situation in the Middle East. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked that the conflict is rapidly escalating and condemned the missile attacks on Israel by Iran, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire.
Hezbollah claims that the Israeli army attempted to enter the village of Adayseh but was repelled by its fighters. This marks a significant escalation in hostilities on Lebanese soil in recent weeks, particularly following the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike. Hezbollah spokesman Mohammed Afif warned, “This is just the beginning of the conflict,” indicating that their fighters are fully prepared and that the situation in southern Lebanon is becoming increasingly grave.
