BEIRUT, Lebanon – An intensified exchange of fire between the Israeli army and Hezbollah fighters at the Lebanese border left residents of south Lebanon witnessing some of the most intense Israeli strikes in weeks of clashes. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for the simultaneous attacks on Israeli positions on Saturday. In response, the Israeli army launched airstrikes on Hezbollah targets and accompanied them with artillery and tank shelling.

Hezbollah reportedly fired a powerful missile, previously unused in the conflict, which struck an Israeli position across the border from the villages of Ayta al-Shaab and Rmeich. The clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces began after Hamas, a Palestinian ally of Hezbollah, went to war with Israel last month. Although this marks the most intense fighting since the 2006 war, it has primarily occurred in the border area.

In his first speech since the conflict between Hamas and Israel broke out, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah stated that the escalation on the Lebanese front depends on events in Gaza and Israeli actions towards Lebanon. Nasrallah emphasized that the attacks carried out so far “won’t be all” that Hezbollah does. The violence has resulted in the deaths of nearly 60 Hezbollah fighters, according to sources.

Witnesses in Lebanon reported some of the heaviest Israeli strikes yet, with thick columns of smoke rising over hills near the town of Khiyam. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously warned Hezbollah against opening a second war front, stating that doing so would invite devastating counter-strikes from Israel.

The Israeli army confirmed that the targets struck included “terrorist infrastructure, rocket caches, and compounds used by” Hezbollah. Israel has reiterated its lack of interest in a conflict on its northern frontier.

Tensions remain high as the clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli forces continue, with both sides engaging in escalating retaliatory measures.