BEIRUT, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-six people were killed and an unspecified number wounded early Saturday during clashes in eastern Lebanon, following Hezbollah's claim that it repelled an attempted Israeli commando landing.
Lebanon's official National News Agency (NNA) reported that clashes erupted on the eastern mountain range along the Lebanese-Syrian border near the Nabi Chit-Ham axis after four Israeli military helicopters carried out a landing operation in the rugged mountainous area.
Hezbollah said its fighters detected the helicopters on Friday evening and later exchanged fire with the advancing Israeli infantry force. The NNA reported that residents also joined Hezbollah fighters in confronting the force.
Israeli fighter jets and helicopters later carried out around 40 airstrikes on the town and surrounding areas, the NNA reported, adding that the strikes were aimed at securing the withdrawal of the Israeli infiltrating unit and preventing reinforcements from reaching the area.
The NNA further reported that the clashes left 26 people dead, including members of the Lebanese army, security personnel and civilians in the region. Israel has not announced any casualties.
Earlier on Friday, Israeli warplanes launched 13 airstrikes on Nabi Chit and nearby areas, which local media said were carried out ahead of the commando operation.
The escalation follows rocket fire toward Israel launched from Lebanon early Monday by Hezbollah, the group's first such attack since a ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27, 2024.
Israel has since launched what it called an "offensive military campaign" against Hezbollah, combining heavy airstrikes with ground incursions along the border and evacuation warnings for areas south of the Litani River and Beirut's southern suburbs. ■
