Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon purportedly killed at least nine people, as Israeli forces intensify air attacks in the region on Hezbollah, the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group.

The death toll is being reported by the Lebanese Health Ministry.

The strikes coincide with a large Israeli military operation that started when the Middle East country and the United States began air strikes on Iran in late February.

The strikes in recent days are in an attempt by Israel to capture a strategic ridge, in the village of Kfar Roummane, that it has sought to control for months, according to the New York Times.