Dozens killed as Israeli special forces raid Lebanese village in search of 40-year-old remains
Dozens Killed in Major Israeli Raid on Lebanese Village
Operation Targets Recovery of Missing Airman’s Remains
More than 40 individuals were killed in Lebanon during a significant Israeli air and ground assault, marking another surge in hostilities with Hezbollah. The attack, centered in Nabi Chit, a village in the eastern Bekaa Valley, left at least 41 fatalities and 40 injured, as reported by the Lebanese health ministry. Among the deceased were three Lebanese soldiers, while civilians—some of whom were children—were also identified by locals.
The operation aimed to locate the remains of an Israeli military airman who vanished in the region four decades ago. A site in the village cemetery revealed a recently dug grave, though it was empty when inspected by a local man. “They thought he was there but there was nothing,” the man said, pointing to the unmarked hole. Nearby, a car lay in ruins, its seats soaked in blood, and surrounding structures were reduced to rubble. A massive crater, formed by explosions, damaged nearby homes, with remnants of civilian belongings scattered among the wreckage.
Hezbollah, the primary force in the area, permitted journalists to document the destruction. The group is classified as a terrorist organization by the UK, US, and other nations. According to the Lebanese military, Israeli aircraft approached the border with Syria late Friday, with two landing to deploy special forces. Simultaneously, an aerial bombardment began, prompting the army to take immediate defensive actions using flare bombs to pinpoint the landing zone.
Clashes erupted on the streets as Israeli forces encountered Hezbollah fighters and civilians. A local official described the initial surprise at midnight: “We felt a strange movement on one side of the village. It turned out to be an Israeli commando unit deployed for some mission.” The resistance then surrounded the forces, leading to intense fighting. Israeli air strikes intensified, enabling the extraction of their unit and causing widespread damage.
“They bombed everything. This is crazy,” said Ali Shakur. “I think they were surprised by who was here because when they bombed they thought that everyone had evacuated.”
Witnesses claimed Israeli soldiers arrived disguised in Lebanese military uniforms, using ambulances bearing the insignia of Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Organization. The Lebanese army chief later confirmed this to local media, while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) remained silent on the claim. Evacuation orders had been issued earlier, and residents reported another call for civilians to leave before the raid.
For Mohamed Chokr, whose uncle and relatives were among the victims, the attack struck close to home. “My uncle is a retired soldier, his son is also a retired soldier, and his other son is a school teacher,” he explained. “We are not affiliated with any political party. We are Shia—like Hezbollah—but not members. We are all in the Lebanese army.” He added that a relative attempting to rescue family members from rubble was also killed in the crossfire.
Citizens and displaced residents gathered at the crater on Saturday to evaluate the damage. “This is my uncle and his kids and their kids,” Chokr said, reflecting on the loss. The Israeli military has not yet responded to BBC inquiries about the incident.
