2 more Hezbollah fighters killed in border clashes with Israel

BEIRUT

Two more Hezbollah fighters were killed in clashes with Israeli forces near the border with Lebanon, the Lebanese group said on Thursday.

The group identified the slain fighters as Ali Ahmed Hamza and Ahmed Hassan Maatouq, without providing any details about the circumstances leading to their death.

The new fatalities brought to 292 Hezbollah fighters killed in clashes with Israeli forces since Oct. 8, 2023, according to an Anadolu tally based on statements released by the group.

On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned of a “hot summer” with Hezbollah amid heightened tensions along Israel’s border with Lebanon.

“It could be a hot summer,” Gallant told army troops in northern Israel. “We have very significant, very heavy firepower, and we will make sure to activate it if there is a need and a reason.”

Tensions have risen along Lebanon's border with Israel amid cross-border attacks between Hezbollah and Israeli forces as Tel Aviv presses ahead with its deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip, which has killed more than 34,900 people since last October following a Hamas attack.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar