Hezbollah said its fighters clashed with Israeli soldiers on Monday in south Lebanon, where Israeli troops continue to operate despite a fragile ceasefire in place since April 17.

The Iran-backed group said its forces opened fire after Israeli troops attempted to advance near the town of Deir Seryan. The Israeli military confirmed the clashes and said two of its soldiers were moderately injured.

What triggered the Hezbollah and Israeli troops clash in south Lebanon?

Hezbollah said Israeli forces attempted to advance near Deir Seryan, prompting its fighters to open fire and engage in what it described as “heavy clashes.” Israel confirmed a close-quarters encounter in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah framed the broader fighting as a response to what it called Israeli ceasefire violations.

Deir Seryan sits inside the Israeli-declared “yellow line,” a zone running up to 10 kilometres deep along the length of the border in south Lebanon. Residents have been told not to return to areas within that line. Israel has maintained a military presence there since the ceasefire took effect.

What did Israel say about the clashes?

The Israeli military confirmed two IDF soldiers were moderately injured in a close-quarters encounter with Hezbollah fighters. Both soldiers were evacuated and taken to hospital for medical treatment. The military did not provide further operational details about the engagement near Deir Seryan.

Hezbollah also claimed a series of separate attacks on Israeli military targets in south Lebanon, describing them as retaliation for Israeli ceasefire violations. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported Israeli air strikes on more than 20 locations in south Lebanon. Some of those locations were towns where the Israeli military had earlier told residents to evacuate.

What casualties have been reported in Lebanon?

Lebanon’s army said an officer and a soldier were lightly wounded when an Israeli strike hit their military vehicle near the town of Kafra as they travelled between army posts. Israel’s air strikes since March 2, when the latest conflict with Hezbollah erupted, have killed nearly 2,700 people and wounded more than 8,200, according to Lebanon’s health ministry.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel reserves the right to act against planned, imminent or ongoing attacks. The agreement has come under increasing strain as both sides report violations along the border.