Israel says one soldier killed, several injured in clashes following latest strikes in Lebanon

The Israeli military announced on Thursday that one soldier was killed and seven were wounded in fighting in southern Lebanon the day before. Master Sergeant Alexander Filin, 29, "fell in combat," the military said in a brief statement. An officer, a reserve officer, and a reserve soldier were moderately injured, while a combat non-commissioned officer, two reserve soldiers, and a female reserve soldier were lightly injured.

The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday aimed at ending the war that erupted in Tehran on 28 February, with fighting halted on all fronts, including Lebanon. Israeli media reported that Israel was engaged in backroom negotiations with the United States to maintain its presence in Lebanon for operations it says are necessary to protect Israeli territory from Hezbollah threats. However, Iran warned on Thursday that Israel's continued presence in Lebanon would "nullify" its deal with the US, which took months of intensive diplomatic efforts and mediation to broker.

Lebanon was drawn into the conflict when Iran-backed Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel on 2 March in support of Iran. Since then, thousands have been killed in daily Israeli attacks despite a fragile truce brokered by Washington.

An Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon killed one person on Thursday, according to Lebanese state media, hours after the US and Iran signed the agreement. "An enemy drone targeted a car" in the Kfar Tebnit region, killing one and seriously wounding another.

Lebanon earlier said Israel's massive campaign of airstrikes and ground invasion has killed more than 3,800 people. On Israel's side, 31 soldiers and one civilian contractor have been killed since it launched its ground invasion in Lebanon. Beirut says over 10,000 others have been injured, and more than one million people are internally displaced across the country. The United Nations has repeatedly called for an end to strikes on Lebanon, warning that the situation has created a dire humanitarian crisis in a nation already reeling from years of economic decline and energy and telecom shortages.