Beirut: A Lebanese soldier was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Friday, the Lebanese army said. In a statement on the US social media company X, the army reported that Corp. Mohammad Mofid Tufaili was killed in a strike that targeted the town of Deir al-Zahrani. His funeral arrangements will be announced later, it added.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Israeli army has been conducting airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon following a cross-border attack by Hezbollah on March 2. This ongoing military action is part of a broader conflict that has escalated regional tensions.

The Israeli offensive on Lebanon is occurring amidst rising tensions in the region, as the US and Israel initiated a joint offensive on Iran on February 28. This offensive has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,340 people, including the then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

In response to these actions, Tehran has launched drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. These retaliatory strikes have caused casualties, infrastructure damage, and have disrupted global markets and aviation.