Hezbollah: Operative Abbas Hijazi killed in southern Lebanon

Tensions escalate on Israel's northern border as Hezbollah confirms the loss of another fighter. The incident marks the latest in a series of confrontations that have intensified since the outbreak of war in Gaza.

Hezbollah, the Lebanon-based militant group, has announced the death of one of its members in what appears to be an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon. The operative, identified as Abbas Hijazi from Majdel Selm, was killed "on the road to Jerusalem," a term the group uses for its fighters who die in confrontations with Israel.

The strike reportedly occurred between the towns of Mays al-Jabal and Shaqra, targeting a car and a motorcycle. Lebanese media sources claim the attack resulted in two fatalities, though this has not been independently verified.

Key developments:

- Hijazi is the first Hezbollah operative reported killed in a suspected Israeli strike since Saturday.

- His death brings the group's reported losses to at least 382 since the beginning of the Gaza conflict.

- The incident follows Saturday's strike that killed four members of Hezbollah's elite Radwan force.

- That attack prompted Hezbollah to launch a retaliatory rocket strike on Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, resulting in the deaths of 12 children.

This latest incident underscores the ongoing volatility along the Israel-Lebanon border, with both sides engaged in a dangerous cycle of attacks and counterattacks. The situation remains tense as international observers watch for signs of further escalation in the region.

* The Times of Israel contributed to this article.