Urgent: Hezbollah claims direct hit on Israeli Merkava tank near border

BEIRUT, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah said on Tuesday that it has struck an Israeli Merkava tank at the northern Israeli border town of Metula, claiming a direct hit with a guided missile.

In a statement, the group said the attack took place at 8:30 p.m. local time and was carried out in retaliation for ongoing Israeli strikes on Lebanese towns and cities, including Beirut's southern suburbs.

The escalation follows repeated exchanges of fire along the Lebanese-Israeli border. Israeli authorities say the strikes are aimed at Hezbollah military infrastructure, while Hezbollah and Lebanese officials accuse Israel of violating the ceasefire and targeting civilian areas.