Israel carries out rare airborne raid in Lebanon; 16 killed in strikes

Israel launched airstrikes targeting Lebanon's Nabi Chit and nearby towns on Saturday, killing at least 16 people Lebanon's health ministry confirmed.

A spokesperson from Lebanon's health ministry told Reuters the toll included people killed in strikes throughout Friday as well as during intense overnight bombardment, and that it was expected to rise further.

Two security sources told Reuters that three army troops were among the dead.

According to reports, Israeli helicopters dropped troops near the town of Nabi Chit.

Israel's military did not immediately respond to Reuters questions on the incident.

In a statement overnight, Hezbollah said it had fired on Israeli troops who had been dropped near Nabi Chit by four Israeli helicopters. The group said the Israeli troops withdrew.

Israeli strikes have killed more than 200 people across Lebanon, and orders to evacuate have displaced around 300,000 people, only a third of whom are now living in government shelters.

The United Nations on Saturday warned that the conflict was set to get "even worse," and that talks between Israel and Lebanon "must be pursued with urgency" to end hostilities.

Its Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, said in a statement that it was "clear that ongoing military actions will not deliver a lasting win to anyone".

"Rather, they will only deepen instability and inflict further suffering," she said.