Lebanon: Hezbollah Downs Israeli Helicopter and Thwarts Landing
Tensions escalated in eastern Lebanon late Sunday to Monday, following an Israeli forces' attempt to execute a landing near the Lebanese-Syrian border, according to the National News Agency.
A source in Hezbollah told AFP that the party managed to down an Israeli helicopter in the outskirts east of Baalbek during the operation, confirming that its forces repelled the Israeli landing that targeted several villages and heights in the area.
In an official statement, the party announced that the Israeli landing failed, noting that after a similar attempt two days prior in the town of Nabi Sheet, the Israeli army tried again to carry out the same operation.
The statement added that about 15 Israeli helicopters launched from the Syrian direction, flying over the eastern range, passing through the villages of Janta, Yahfoufa, Nabi Sheet, Arsal, and Ras Baalbek, with some landing troops in the Serghaya plain.
Hezbollah's forces responded to these movements and thwarted the advance of the infiltrating Israeli troops towards Lebanese territory.
In a related context, Israeli special forces carried out a series of airstrikes on the town of Nabi Sheet, the main stronghold of Hezbollah, resulting in the deaths of 41 people, but the operation did not achieve its goal of finding the remains of the missing pilot Ron Arad since 1986.
This event reflects the rising tensions on the Lebanese-Israeli border and brings back to the forefront the threats of military confrontation between the two sides under close monitoring from regional and international powers.
