The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says it struck a vehicle carrying Lebanese soldiers in southern Lebanon and is investigating the attack after confirming it hit the car. The Lebanese Army said the strike Saturday was “aggressive and barbaric” and killed a brigadier-general, a captain, and a private.

The IDF said the vehicle was moving “suspiciously” toward forces and that gunfire had been reported in the area. It said the strike occurred in an “active and evacuated combat zone” where Hezbollah had operated, and stressed that its operations are aimed at Hezbollah rather than the Lebanese Army. The Lebanese Army released images it said showed the damaged and burnt-out car.

The victims were identified as Brig Gen Samer Sabra, Cpt Elie Khoury, and Pte Hassan Ghazal. The strike was reported to have happened on a road near the village of Kfar Tebnit, close to the city of Nabatieh and north of the Litani River.

The attack comes as Israel and Lebanon continue talks to secure a ceasefire. While Israel is not in direct conflict with the Lebanese government, fighting has been underway between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group operating in southern Lebanon and carrying out rocket and drone attacks into northern Israel.