Afghanistan, May 11 -- The Israeli military said one Israeli soldier was killed in a Hezbollah drone explosion near the Lebanon border, bringing the number of Israeli troops killed in the ongoing confrontation with the group to 18.

Al Jazeera Media Network reported on Monday, citing the Israeli army, that the soldier died after a drone operated by Hezbollah exploded during hostilities along the border area.

The announcement came a day after Israel said it had carried out extensive strikes on more than 20 Hezbollah-linked sites across southern Lebanon as fighting between the two sides intensified.

According to reports, at least three people were killed in the Israeli strikes, including two emergency aid workers. The attacks reportedly tar...