Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Kfar Kila, Lebanon, on Dec. 21, 2023. Two Hezbollah members and a civilian were killed, while two other civilians were wounded in Israeli attacks on Thursday in southern Lebanon, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)

BEIRUT, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Two Hezbollah members and a civilian were killed, while two other civilians were wounded in Israeli attacks on Thursday in southern Lebanon, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the casualties were caused by Israeli artillery shelling and air raids on at least 21 border villages and towns in southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah said its fighters also carried out attacks against several Israeli barracks and sites in northern Israel.

The Lebanon-Israel border has witnessed increased tension since Oct. 8 after the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israel in support of the Hamas attack on Israel the previous day, prompting Israel to respond by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon.

The confrontations between Hezbollah and Israel have so far killed 170 people on the Lebanese side, including 119 Hezbollah members and 32 civilians, according to Lebanese security sources.