JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Saturday that its troops killed an armed Hezbollah militant in southwestern Lebanon.
In a statement, the IDF said the militant was identified by an elite paratrooper force in the town of Majdal Zoun, within the Israeli military's "security zone" in southern Lebanon.
According to the military, the troops opened fire after identifying the militant, pursued him, and killed him after an extensive search.
"The IDF will continue to work to eliminate any threat to its forces and will not allow the Hezbollah terrorist organization to harm Israeli citizens," the statement said.
Meanwhile, Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli forces stepped up attacks in southern Lebanon on Saturday, launching a drone strike, shelling multiple areas, opening heavy machine-gun fire on border towns, and flying reconnaissance drones over Beirut.
The incidents occurred despite a framework agreement recently reached between Lebanon and Israel aimed at ending hostilities along the border. ■
