Lebanon: Israel's operation to hunt for missing pilot kills 41
What's the story
An Israeli special forces operation in eastern Lebanon has left 41 dead and 40 injured. The operation was launched to locate the remains of navigator Ron Arad, who went missing in 1986. The town of Nabi Sheet was heavily damaged, with buildings gutted and roofs torn off. "The sounds of the explosions were like something out of a movie," said local Mohammed Mussa, according to a report by AFP.
Operation details
No trace of Arad found during raid
The Israeli military had issued evacuation warnings before the operation. However, no trace of Arad was found during the raid. The Lebanese health ministry confirmed the casualties from the strikes in Nabi Sheet and the surrounding areas. Lebanese military chief Rodolphe Haykal noted that Israeli soldiers wore uniforms similar to those of the Lebanese army and used vehicles and ambulances resembling those of the Hezbollah-linked Islamic Health Authority.
Confrontation claim
Hezbollah claimed to have confronted Israeli troops
Hezbollah claimed to have confronted Israeli troops that infiltrated Nabi Sheet by helicopter. The group said its fighters observed four Israeli helicopters from the Syrian direction. After landing, the advancing troops were engaged by Hezbollah fighters near a cemetery in Nabi Sheet. An AFP journalist reported hearing warplanes and gunfire throughout the night during this operation.
Commitment reaffirmed
Netanyahu says failure doesn't change Israel's commitment
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation's failure didn't change Israel's commitment to finding its missing servicemen. Arad has been presumed dead since his capture in 1986 after ejecting from his combat jet over Lebanon. His wife, Tami, thanked the military but cautioned against risking soldiers' lives in search of her husband's remains.
Escalating conflict
Israel has intensified strikes in Lebanon since Monday
The mayor of Nabi Sheet, Hani Moussawi, said the indiscriminate bombing caused widespread destruction. He added that "as long as Israel exists, we will continue to resist it." Since Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel in retaliation for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's killing, Israel has intensified strikes and ground troop deployments in Lebanon. Lebanon's health ministry reported nearly 300 deaths due to Israeli attacks since Monday.