Several dead in latest fighting between Israel and Hezbollah

The bloody conflict between the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia and Israel claimed more lives in the south and east of Lebanon, the country’s Health Ministry reported.

The ministry said late on Thursday that at least eight people had been killed in strikes in the south and east of the country. Several others were wounded, among them women and children.

An Israeli soldier was killed in an attack by the Lebanese Islamist militia on troops stationed in southern Lebanon, the Israeli army said.

Israel and Lebanon this week agreed to a new attempt to implement a ceasefire deal, which has so far been largely ineffective. On Thursday, Hezbollah rejected the ceasefire with Israel.

The Lebanese government is not a party to the conflict and has only limited influence over Hezbollah. The militia was not involved in the talks.

Following the renewed Hezbollah attack, the Israeli army said it had bombed Hezbollah infrastructure. Overnight, Hezbollah announced a further rocket attack on Israeli troops in southern Lebanon.

The claims could not be independently verified.