Following Israel’s announcement that eight of its soldiers were killed during clashes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, new reports have shed light on the deadly encounter with Hezbollah forces. These losses mark the deadliest for the Israeli army on the Lebanese front after nearly a year of ongoing attacks between Israel and Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, stated that its fighters engaged Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, marking the first time the group has acknowledged ground clashes since Israel began its incursion across the border.
Key Details on the Incident:
- Commando Casualties: According to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, six Israeli commandos were killed in fierce fighting in foggy conditions early Wednesday morning in southern Lebanon.
- Ambush Encounter: Around 4:30 a.m., Israeli elite forces launched an attack near the Lebanon-Israel border but were met with heavy fire from Hezbollah fighters stationed in a nearby building. The Hezbollah forces used small arms, anti-tank missiles, and mortars.
- Challenging Conditions: Poor weather conditions, including thick fog and darkness, complicated the operation for the Israeli troops.
- Israeli Airstrikes: In response, Israeli warplanes targeted nearby roads and buildings, including a mosque where some Hezbollah fighters had taken refuge. The mosque was reportedly destroyed in the strike, with at least 30 Hezbollah fighters killed.
- Injuries: About 30 Israeli soldiers were injured during the encounter, including one officer and four soldiers who suffered severe wounds.
- Separate Attack: In another Hezbollah strike, two soldiers from Israel’s Golani reconnaissance unit were killed by an anti-tank missile, with seven others seriously wounded.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation in a video, offering condolences: “We are in the midst of a harsh war against the Iranian axis of evil that seeks to destroy us.” He added, “This will not happen, as we stand united and, with God’s help, we will prevail together.”
The Israeli army also confirmed that regular infantry and armored units have joined ground operations in southern Lebanon, following Iran’s launch of over 180 rockets toward Israel the day before. The barrage heightened fears of a broader conflict across the Middle East.
On Wednesday morning, Iran announced that its assault on Israel was “over unless further provocations occur,” while both Israel and the United States vowed to retaliate for Tehran’s attacks.
