2 Lebanese soldiers killed, 3 injured in Israeli strike on army post

The incident takes the number of Lebanese soldiers killed on duty to five, in addition to 16 killed off-duty.

In Short

• Lebanon's caretaker PM Mikati condemns killings
• Calls it persistent Israeli crime against Lebanon
• Total of 21 Lebanese soldiers killed in Israeli strikes so far

Two Lebanese soldiers were killed, and three others wounded in an Israeli strike on an Army post in southern Lebanon on Friday, the Army said.

The incident takes the number of Lebanese soldiers killed on duty to five, in addition to 16 killed off-duty, a security source told Reuters. There was no immediate comment from Israel on the latest report.

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned the killings.

"This persistent Israeli crime against Lebanon did not spare today the brave soldiers who are carrying out their national duty in protecting the land and defending the people", he said in a statement.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted one year ago when the Iranian-backed group began launching rockets at northern Israel in support of Hamas, the Palestinian organisation that governs the Gaza Strip.

The Lebanese Army has historically stayed out of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, focusing instead on maintaining order inside Lebanon.