Zawtar al-Sharqiyah, Lebanon—The firefight erupted early Saturday morning as Givati Brigade units conducted raids in the southern town. Troops encountered entrenched Hezbollah operatives, triggering a sustained exchange of fire.

The military confirmed that two Israeli officers were wounded during the engagement. One officer sustained severe injuries and required an emergency medical evacuation by air.

The second officer, a lieutenant colonel leading the reconnaissance unit, was lightly wounded. Medical teams extracted him from the combat zone several hours after the initial contact began.

Israeli ground forces have been operating in the area to dismantle infrastructure. They claim to have discovered caches of weapons hidden within civilian homes throughout the town.

This confrontation marks a significant spike in violence along the border. Local reports indicate that the sound of small arms fire and artillery echoed through the valley for hours.

The military has directed numerous airstrikes to support the ground troops. These sorties aim to clear paths for the advancing infantry and suppress pockets of resistance.

No statement has been issued by Hezbollah regarding their own losses in this specific encounter. The group continues to maintain a significant presence in the rugged terrain north of the Litani River.

The mission in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah remains active as the IDF attempts to consolidate control. Commanders on the ground are currently assessing the safety of the perimeter before proceeding further.