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

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

Additional fatalities occurred in Lebanon during significant Israeli aerial and ground actions, which have intensified amid ongoing conflict with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed group. A raid in the eastern Bekaa Valley town of Nabi Chit resulted in at least 41 deaths and 40 injuries, as reported by the Lebanese health ministry. Among the casualties were three soldiers, while local residents provided names of civilians, including children, they claimed were killed. The operation aimed to recover the remains of an Israeli military airman who vanished in Lebanon four decades ago.

At the village cemetery, a grave was unearthed in a corner, leaving locals puzzled. “They believed he was buried there but found nothing,” said a man from the area, pointing to the empty plot. Nearby, a car lay in ruins, its seats bloodstained, and buildings had been reduced to rubble. A massive crater, created by explosions, damaged nearby homes, while remnants of civilian life—such as a children’s coloring book, paintings, and cooking tools—were scattered among the wreckage.

Hezbollah, the primary group in the region, permitted journalists to document the devastation. The Shia militia is designated as a terrorist organization by the UK, US, and other nations. The Lebanese military noted that Israeli aircraft approached the border with Syria late Friday, with two landing to deploy special forces. Concurrently, a “large-scale aerial bombardment” began, prompting the Lebanese army to take defensive actions, including using flare bombs to locate the forces. Clashes erupted on the streets as Israeli troops faced Hezbollah fighters and civilians protecting their homes.

“At midnight, we sensed an unusual activity on one side of the village. It was an Israeli commando unit operating for a mission,” stated a local official at the site of a major explosion.

According to Hezbollah and residents, Israel launched approximately 40 airstrikes to support the special forces and facilitate their withdrawal. Witnesses claimed the soldiers arrived disguised in Lebanese military uniforms and used ambulances marked with Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Organization insignia. The Lebanese army chief later validated this to local media, though the IDF has not commented on the claim.

Residents described the village as a target of sweeping Israeli evacuation orders. A final call for civilians to leave their homes came just before the operation. Mohamed Chokr, whose uncle and other relatives were among the victims, recounted, “We felt safe because our homes had no connection to Hezbollah. My uncle was a retired soldier, his son also served, and his other son was a teacher. We support Hezbollah but are not members. We’re all in the Lebanese army.” He added that another relative, arriving in a bulldozer to rescue family members, was killed during the crossfire.

On Saturday, villagers gathered around the crater to evaluate the damage, expressing confusion and grief. “They bombed everything. This is insane,” said Ali Shakur. “I think they were surprised by who remained, since they assumed everyone had evacuated.” Another villager noted that people had left their children behind in the chaos.