8 Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon during Israeli military, Hezbollah’s ground clashes

New Delhi, Oct 2: Eight Israeli soldiers have died in combat inside Lebanon, marking the first casualties since Israel's ground invasion began, IDF confirmed.

Among the dead is Captain Eitan Yitzhak Oster, 22, a commander in the elite Egoz unit, which specialises in guerrilla warfare. Oster's death was confirmed by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday, alongside the deaths of seven more soldiers in southern Lebanon.

The IDF also reported that its forces, including members of the Commando Brigade, have been engaged in "close-range encounters" with Hezbollah fighters. According to the military, over 150 Hezbollah targets, including weapons caches and logistical hubs, have been destroyed by airstrikes.

Meanwhile, tensions in the region continue to rise. Hezbollah has confirmed that its forces are actively engaged in clashes with Israeli troops, calling these confrontations the "first round of war." The Lebanese government reported that Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday killed 55 people and wounded 156.

An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council was held to discuss the situation, with Secretary-General António Guterres warning of the potential for all-out war in Lebanon. Guterres urged a ceasefire, describing the escalating violence as "relentless" and warning of "devastating consequences" if the conflict continues to spiral.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate against Iran for a recent missile attack on Israel, calling it a "big mistake." He stressed that Israel will defend itself and hold Tehran accountable for its actions.

As the violence intensifies, the Lebanese government reports over 1000 deaths and the displacement of around one million citizens in the past two weeks. Amid growing fears of a wider regional conflict, international leaders, including UK Defence Secretary John Healey, have called for efforts to de-escalate the crisis.