Dozens killed as Israeli special forces raid Lebanese village in search of 40-year-old remains

Dozens Killed as Israeli Special Forces Launch Raid in Lebanese Village

More than 40 individuals lost their lives in Lebanon following intense Israeli air and ground attacks, as the conflict with Hezbollah intensifies. The operation, focused on recovering the body of an Israeli airman who vanished in the country four decades ago, took place overnight in Nabi Chit, a town in the eastern Bekaa Valley. The Lebanese health ministry reported at least 41 fatalities and 40 injuries, with three military personnel among the deceased.

Locals provided names of civilians, including children, believed to have perished. In the village cemetery, a grave was unearthed, but it yielded no remains. “They thought he was there but there was nothing,” remarked a resident, pointing to the empty plot. The village bore heavy signs of the assault—bullet holes marred a destroyed car, and bloodstains clung to its seats. Nearby, buildings lay in ruins, and a massive crater scarred the ground, damaging homes in its vicinity.

Hezbollah, the dominant group in the region, permitted journalists to document the destruction. The Shia militia is classified as a terrorist organization by the UK, US, and other nations. The Lebanese military stated it observed four Israeli aircraft approaching the Syrian border late Friday, with two landing and deploying soldiers. Simultaneously, a “large-scale aerial bombardment” commenced, prompting the army to activate immediate defense protocols using flare bombs.

Clashes erupted between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters, as well as civilians defending their homes. “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,” said a local official. The resistance encircled the unit, escalating into fierce street battles. The air force intensified strikes, enabling the extraction of Israeli troops and causing widespread damage.

Residents and evacuees gathered around the crater on Saturday to evaluate the destruction. “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.” Another villager noted that people had evacuated their children before the operation began, leaving behind personal belongings like a children’s coloring book, paintings, and cooking utensils.

“My uncle is a retired soldier, his son is also a retired soldier and his other son is a school teacher. We are not affiliated with any political party. We are Shia—we like Hezbollah, but we are not members of Hezbollah. We are all in the Lebanese army,” said Mohamed Chokr. “How should I feel today? This is my uncle and his kids and their kids.”

Chokr added that a relative, who arrived in a bulldozer to rescue family members trapped under rubble, was killed during the crossfire. He listed additional names of relatives among the casualties. The Israeli military has yet to comment on the BBC’s inquiries about the incident.