Israel Lands Commandos in Lebanon to Search for Ron Arad, Kills Dozens

Israeli special forces carried out an overnight operation in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley.

“Lebanese authorities say dozens of people were killed when Israeli commandos raided a border region hunting for the remains of a long-missing airman”

CNN

They landed by helicopters near the town of Nabi Chit to search for the missing navigator Ron Arad.

CNN

They did not recover his remains, according to both Israeli and international reporting.

The raid produced deadly consequences and visible destruction.

Casualty figures and sources diverge: Lebanon's Health Ministry and multiple outlets put the toll at about 41 dead and 40 wounded, while one Israeli outlet cited a lower figure of 29 killed.

fakti.bg

Videos geolocated by Reuters and reporting described a large crater and heavy building damage in Nabi Chit.

Accounts differ on how the fighting unfolded.

“As highlighted byCNN Lebanese authorities said that dozens of people were killed during an Israeli operation along the border area to search for the remains of a long-missing pilot”

mezha.net

Lebanese and Hezbollah reports said commandos landed from helicopters, clashed with local residents and Hezbollah fighters, and that Israeli aircraft carried out strikes to cover the withdrawal.

The IDF acknowledged the operation, said no Israeli soldiers were injured, and suggested some Lebanese casualties were likely caused by Israeli airstrikes.

These accounts create contradictory narratives about whether there were direct troop clashes.

Israeli reporting and other outlets say the raid was prompted by new intelligence tied to a related disappearance.

Outlets reported the operation was based on leads linked to Ahmad Shuker or similar tips.

thenationalnews

They noted that Ron Arad has been missing since 1986.

The reports said the forces did not find Arad's remains.

The raid took place amid an intensified round of cross-border strikes between Israel and Hezbollah and rising regional tensions.

“Democracy Dies in Darkness By Bassem Mroue | AP BEIRUT — An Israeli special force that landed in eastern The Israeli military did not say where the force landed in Lebanon but the Lebanese army and state media said an Israeli commando force landed on the mountains along the border with Syria before heading to the eastern town of Nabi Chit, where they clashed with Hezbollah and local fighters”

The Washington Post

Lebanese officials reported army casualties for the first time since fighting resumed.

ynetnews

Family members of Ron Arad urged caution about risking soldiers' lives for the decades-old case.