The Israeli military struck the Lebanese capital, marking a gradual expansion of what it says are strikes targeting Hezbollah there, as its forces fight with the militant group in the country’s south.

Israel’s military says eight of its soldiers have been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, its first losses since the start of the ground invasion against the armed group Hezbollah. Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, said it had destroyed Israeli tanks during the fighting and insisted it had enough men and ammunition to push back the forces.