The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah took a dangerous new turn on Friday night when Israeli forces launched a rare airborne commando operation in the eastern Lebanese town of Nabi Chit. The raid triggered hours of intense fighting between Israeli special forces and Hezbollah fighters.
According to local health officials, at least 40 people were killed in the operation and the accompanying Israeli airstrikes, while many others were wounded.
Witnesses reported seeing several Israeli military helicopters hovering over the Anti-Lebanon mountain range near the Syrian border late at night. Some of the helicopters reportedly deployed commando units near Nabi Chit, after which heavy gunfire erupted across the area. Israeli troops were said to have conducted a search operation in a cemetery inside the town.
Media reports suggest the mission was aimed at searching for potential clues related to Ron Arad, an Israeli Air Force navigator who went missing in 1986. However, the Israeli military later stated that the operation did not yield any significant information.
As soon as news of the Israeli presence spread, Hezbollah fighters reportedly surrounded the area, leading to direct ground clashes between the two sides. The fighting lasted for several hours, with anti-aircraft fire and explosions echoing across the sky. Reports indicate that Israel carried out multiple airstrikes in the area to extract its commando units, causing widespread damage to nearby locations.
Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force continued heavy bombardment of Beirut’s southern suburbs, widely considered a Hezbollah stronghold. Several residential buildings were destroyed in the strikes, leaving large numbers of civilians homeless.
Officials say that more than 120 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since the beginning of the week, while dozens more have been injured.
Continuous airstrikes have forced large numbers of civilians to flee their homes in search of safety. Relief agencies warn that millions have been displaced, deepening Lebanon’s humanitarian crisis.
The escalation follows recent Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks toward northern Israel. In response, Israel has expanded its military operations across southern and eastern Lebanon, as well as areas around Beirut.
Analysts warn that the Israeli commando raid in Nabi Chit and the ongoing bombardment of Beirut could further widen the conflict. If the situation continues to escalate, the confrontation could evolve into a broader regional crisis across the Middle East.
