Five IDF soldiers were wounded Wednesday in southern Lebanon when two Hezbollah drones detonated near Israeli forces, even as the United States and Iran move toward a formal signing of a memorandum of understanding expected to include a ceasefire in Lebanon.<\/p>\n
One soldier was seriously wounded, two were moderately wounded and two others were lightly hurt, the military said.<\/p>\n
The first explosion occurred at about 6 a.m., when a drone detonated near a tank operated by troops from the Givati Brigade combat team in the area of Kfar Tebnit in southern Lebanon. Four soldiers were wounded by shrapnel and evacuated by helicopter to hospitals.<\/p>\n
Minutes later, a second explosive-laden drone struck the evacuation vehicle, wounding another soldier.<\/p>\n
The IDF said its forces responded with artillery fire at what it described as terrorist infrastructure in the area.<\/p>\n
The attack came ahead of a planned signing ceremony Friday in Switzerland for an agreement between the United States and Iran, which has already reportedly been signed electronically. The agreement is expected to bring a ceasefire in Lebanon, though fighting has continued on the ground.<\/p>\n
Speaking later at the G7 summit alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Donald Trump said he wanted Israel to be able to defend itself in Lebanon, \u201cbut I do want them to use good judgment.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI expect Israel to show more gratitude,\u201d Trump added.<\/p>\n
Iran warned Tuesday night<\/a> that if Israel continues striking southern Lebanon, it should expect \u201ca harsh response\u201d from Tehran\u2019s military forces. The warning followed a series of Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Tuesday that reportedly killed four people.<\/p>\n Iran said Israel had violated the ceasefire in southern Lebanon 84 times over the past two days and accused it of continuing to kill Lebanese civilians after Trump announced the war was over.<\/p>\n The IDF said it was not familiar with Iran\u2019s claim of 84 violations, but acknowledged several drone strikes against what it described as immediate threats to its forces.<\/p>\n