In a tragic development of the ongoing violence along the Lebanon-Israel border, an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon has resulted in the deaths of 10 people, according to Lebanese officials. The strike targeted a building in the city of Nabatieh, which was housing Syrian refugees, as confirmed by Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad.

Israeli authorities claimed that the target of the attack was a Hezbollah weapons depot. However, the owner of the facility denied these allegations. The strike has further escalated tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia and political group in Lebanon.

In response to the Israeli air strike, Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets targeting a kibbutz in northern Israel and an Israeli military post. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported in the first attack, while two Israeli soldiers sustained injuries in the second incident, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

The recent spike in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah began after a Palestinian militant attack on Israel on October 7. As a result, Israel launched an invasion of Gaza with the aim of eliminating Hamas. However, tensions escalated further following the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander, Fuad Shukr, in southern Beirut.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has vowed to respond to the assassination, exacerbating concerns that the conflict in Gaza could escalate into a wider regional confrontation. International mediators have been urging Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire agreement in upcoming talks to prevent such a scenario.

While Western leaders have called on Iran to refrain from retaliating against Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last month, Iran has dismissed these calls. However, there are indications that Iran may be considering delaying its response in light of the ceasefire efforts in Gaza.

Lebanese Health Minister Firass Abiad criticized Israel's actions, suggesting that they indicate a lack of interest in reaching a peaceful resolution. Abiad further revealed that among the victims of the air strike in Nabatieh were a woman and her two children, while five others remain in critical condition.

The owner of one of the targeted buildings, Hossain Tohmaz, vehemently denied any Hezbollah presence on the premises, asserting that it was a civilian facility where people worked and lived. He explained that the building was used for manufacturing iron and as a warehouse for goods, and that workers resided on the top floor.

Shortly after the air strike, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for firing Katyusha rockets at Ayelet HaShahar, a kibbutz situated north of the Sea of Galilee. The IDF confirmed the launch of 55 rockets from Lebanon, some of which landed in open areas. Multiple fires were ignited in the region and Israeli fire and rescue services are currently working to extinguish them.

In another attack, Hezbollah targeted an Israeli military position in Marj, resulting in severe injuries to one soldier and light injuries to another. The projectile was launched from Lebanon and fell on Misgav Am, which is located adjacent to the Israel-Lebanon border. The injured soldiers have been evacuated to a hospital for medical treatment and their families have been informed.

The strike in southern Lebanon marks one of the deadliest attacks in the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. As talks are set to resume next week in Cairo, involving the US, Qatar, and Egypt, the incident is viewed with "utmost severity" by the Israeli prime minister. A swift resolution and agreement are essential to prevent the conflict from spiraling into a full-scale regional confrontation.