ISRAELI AIR STRIKE KILLS FOUR FIGHTERS

BEIRUT: An Israeli air strike on a car in southern Lebanon killed four people yesterday, according to Lebanon’s civil defence, with security sources saying those killed were members of armed group Hezbollah. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has rumbled on since October in parallel to the Gaza war, with an escalation this week as both sides intensified their bombardment, fuelling concern of a bigger war between the heavily-armed adversaries. Israel has used artillery, drones and warplanes against targets in southern Lebanon, including to strike fighters from Hezbollah and other armed groups. Fighters in Lebanon have launched rockets and drones into northern Israel. The Israeli military did not reply to a request for comment. Lebanon’s civil defence rescue force said it had pulled four bodies out of a car that had been scorched by an Israeli strike. Two security sources said the four killed were members of Hezbollah. The exchanges of fire have uprooted tens of thousands of people on both sides of the border. In northern Israel, the displacement has prompted calls for firmer military action against Hezbollah. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned on Wednesday that the next months “may be a hot summer”, saying either a diplomatic deal or military solution was needed to restore security. – Reuters