Lebanese Resistance Movement Hezbollah announced on Friday that it is retaliating to the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) bombardment of southern Lebanese communities by firing back at Israeli positions.

"In response to the Israeli attacks on Friday afternoon, Hezbollah fighters attacked Israeli positions," Hezbollah said in a statement.

The IOF later issued a statement on Telegram saying that it spotted and intercepted an unidentified object that crossed the border from Lebanon.

"Following the previous report regarding sirens which sounded in Misgav Am, the [IOF] spotted an unidentified target which crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory, which was successfully intercepted by the [IOF] Aerial Defense Array," the statement read.

It also announced in a separate statement an increase in the number of Israeli soldiers killed in the Gaza Strip hostilities since October 7, now totaling 258, up from 247 as of Thursday.

They have updated the list of soldiers killed in action, whose names can be disclosed.

Read more: Resistance bombs "Tel Aviv", launches Ayyash 250 rocket to north

Martyr Issam Abdallah

This comes after sources reported that Reuter's photographer, Issam Abdallah, has been martyred by an Israeli strike in the town of Aalma al-Chaeb, southern Lebanon.

Two other Reuters Journalists were injured, their names are Thaer al-Sudani and Maher Nazeh.

Several other journalists suffered critical injuries as a result of the Israeli strike which directly targeted them. Issam and others were wearing Press gear allowing easy identification, as they covered the unfolding events on the Lebanese-Palestinian border.

"The Resistance strongly denounces the crime committed by the Israelis of targeting Journalists South Lebanon," Hezbollah said in a statement.

"The despicable crime of murdering Lebanese citizens, foreigners living in Lebanon and the harming of the peoples’ security will not go unpunished."

Hezbollah further extended its condolences to the family of martyr Issam Abdallah and conveyed its condolences to Reuters agency in Lebanon, Al Jazeera, AFP Lebanon, as well as all dedicated journalists committed to the cause of free and unbiased reporting.

Ready To Act

During a mass rally in solidarity with Palestine earlier today, Deputy Secretary-General of Hezbollah, Sheikh Naim Qassem, affirmed that the Resistance in Lebanon is fully prepared and is closely monitoring the progress of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, adding that when need be, the Resistance will act.

Qassem said Hezbollah is committed to the battle of resistance and liberation and the whole Umma is responsible for being involved in the confrontation with "Israel".

Qassem addressed the Palestinian fighters, saying, "You are an example for all the free people of the world."

Qassem also noted that Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is a successful, foundational, historic, and luminous operation that will last long in the future, serving as a fundamental lesson for all free people.