Israeli Raid in Lebanon Leaves Dozens Dead, Search for Missing Airman Ends in Failure
Nabi Sheet, Lebanon – A large-scale Israeli special forces operation in eastern Lebanon, aimed at locating the remains of airman Ron Arad who went missing in 1986, resulted in the deaths of 41 people and injuries to 40 others, Lebanese officials said Saturday. The operation, which involved airstrikes and clashes with Hezbollah fighters, failed to uncover any trace of Arad.
The raid centered on the town of Nabi Sheet in the Bekaa Valley, leaving a trail of destruction. Images from the scene show gutted buildings, scattered munitions, and a large crater where Israeli forces apparently dug for Arad’s remains.
“The sounds of the explosions were like something out of a movie,” Mohammed Mussa, a 55-year-old resident of Nabi Sheet, told AFP during a media tour organized by Hezbollah. “We later understood that there was a commando operation underway.”
The Israeli military confirmed it carried out an operation overnight to find Arad, who was captured after ejecting from his aircraft over Lebanon in 1986. “No findings related to him were located… No IDF (military) injuries were reported,” the army said in a statement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that despite the unsuccessful search, Israel remains committed to finding all its missing servicemen.
Hezbollah acknowledged its fighters confronted the infiltrating Israeli troops, who arrived by helicopter. The group claimed its forces “engaged” the advancing troops near a cemetery in Nabi Sheet, triggering clashes and subsequent Israeli airstrikes.
Lebanon’s military reported witnessing the commando operation and stated that three soldiers and a number of civilians were killed as a result of the ensuing shelling. They also alleged that Israeli soldiers wore uniforms similar to those of the Lebanese army and used vehicles resembling those of the Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Authority.
The operation comes amid heightened tensions, with Israel launching numerous strikes into Lebanon since Hezbollah began firing missiles in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Lebanon’s health ministry reported Saturday that Israeli attacks on the country have killed nearly 300 people since Monday.
Mayor of Nabi Sheet, Hani Moussawi, said the town was warned of the impending operation, allowing for the evacuation of children. However, he described the subsequent bombing as “indiscriminate and very heavy,” resulting in widespread destruction. “It cost a great deal: infrastructure, destruction and the blood of our sons,” he added, vowing continued resistance to Israel.
Arad’s wife, Tami, expressed gratitude to the military but reportedly said soldiers’ lives should not be risked in the search for her husband, according to Israeli media.
The failed operation underscores the decades-long unresolved issue of Israeli citizens missing in Lebanon, and the ongoing volatility in the region.
Source: NDTV.com (Syndicated Feed)