Israel strikes Lebanon after Netanyahu vows no mercy for Hezbollah

Israel's military launched strikes Tuesday on eastern Lebanon, official Lebanese media reported, as Hezbollah fought Israeli soldiers after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed no mercy for the militant group.

The premier's pledge on Monday came a day after a drone attack by the Iran-backed Lebanese group on an Israeli base killed four soldiers, while volunteer rescuers said another 60 people were wounded.

"We will continue to mercilessly strike Hezbollah in all parts of Lebanon—including Beirut," Netanyahu said on a visit to the base near Binyamina, south of Haifa.

Hezbollah said its "fighters clashed with" Israeli troops Tuesday who were trying to infiltrate on the outskirts of Rab Tlatin village.

The group also said it launched missiles at soldiers and a barrage of rockets at northern Israel, while the military reported sirens blaring near the border.

Israel's military, meanwhile, said its "troops eliminated dozens of terrorists in close-quarters combat" and strikes over the past day.

Since Israel last month escalated its bombing in Lebanon before sending ground troops across the frontier, the war has killed at least 1,315 people, according to Lebanese health ministry figures, though the real toll is likely higher.

Israel launched multiple air strikes early Tuesday in the eastern Bekaa Valley, putting a hospital in Baalbek city out of service, Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported.

The International Committee of the Red Cross's regional director, Nicolas Von Arx, appealed Monday for the protection of ambulances and other health facilities and personnel, calling attacks on them "deeply worrying."

Israeli strikes have targeted Hezbollah strongholds as well as other parts of Lebanon...