Lebanese-based militant group Hezbollah has launched a barrage of missiles and drones targeting a military facility in northern Israel on Wednesday, April 17. The attack reportedly resulted in the injury of 14 Israeli soldiers, with six of them in serious condition, according to statements from the Israeli military.

The incident comes as retaliation for Israeli airstrikes that claimed the lives of Hezbollah members, including a field commander, in southern Lebanon just a day prior, as confirmed by Lebanese security sources.

Israeli forces responded to the missile and drone launches by striking the sources of fire, identified as originating from Lebanon towards the Bedouin village of Arab al-Aramshe. According to reports from the Israeli Ynet news site, the targeted soldiers were situated in a community center within the village at the time of the attack.

The exchange of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah has been ongoing for over six months, occurring concurrently with the conflict in Gaza. These hostilities mark the most significant confrontation since the 2006 war between the two parties.

Concerns over further escalation have been mounting, particularly following Iran’s retaliatory attack on Israel, involving the launch of hundreds of explosive drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. Israeli officials have vowed to respond to the Iranian attack.

The toll from the prolonged conflict includes at least 370 Lebanese casualties, comprising over 240 Hezbollah fighters and 68 civilians, according to a Reuters tally. On the Israeli side, 18 individuals, including both soldiers and civilians, have lost their lives amidst the clashes.

With inputs from Reuters