The death toll from an Israeli commando raid in southern Lebanon reached 41 on Sunday after Hezbollah foiled an attempted operation in the town of Nabi Chit (Nibichit), according to Lebanese sources. Local residents reportedly joined Hezbollah fighters in repelling the assault, inflicting heavy casualties on Israeli paratroopers during the engagement.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed that ten soldiers were seriously injured in the overnight operation. One paratrooper remains missing and has been presumed dead, though his body has not been recovered—prompting speculation that he may have been captured by Hezbollah fighters.
Lebanese media reported that clashes erupted along the eastern mountain range near the Lebanese-Syrian border, in the Nabi Chit-Ham axis, after four Israeli military helicopters attempted a landing in the rugged terrain.
Hezbollah stated that its fighters detected the movement and immediately engaged the Israeli forces.
In response, Israeli aircraft carried out approximately 40 airstrikes on the town and surrounding areas to cover the withdrawal of ground troops.
Lebanese officials reported that the 41 fatalities included members of the Lebanese Army, security personnel, and civilians. The total death toll from Israeli military operations in Lebanon has now surpassed 200 as of Sunday morning.
Israel has not publicly released comprehensive figures for its dead and injured in the ongoing conflict, citing security concerns. Experts, however, believe Israeli casualties could number in the hundreds, given the intensity of Iranian-backed retaliation and widespread destruction across targeted areas.
The latest escalation follows Hezbollah rocket fire toward Israel early Monday—the group’s first such attack since a ceasefire took effect on November 27, 2024—further straining the fragile truce.
Follow us
