Dozens killed as Israeli special forces raid Lebanese village in search of 40-year-old remains
Dozens Killed in Israeli Raid on Lebanese Village Amid Ongoing Conflict
Israeli special forces launched a major operation in the eastern Bekaa Valley, targeting the village of Nabi Chit in Lebanon. The attack, part of the escalating war with Hezbollah, left at least 41 people dead and 40 injured, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Among the casualties were three soldiers and several civilians, including children, as reported by local residents.
Operation Focus: Recovering Missing Airman’s Remains
The mission centered on locating the remains of an Israeli military airman who disappeared in Lebanon decades ago. A crater formed near the village cemetery, where a grave was unearthed but found empty. “They believed he was there, but nothing remained,” remarked a local man, pointing to the disturbed earth.
Clashes erupted between Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters, with civilians caught in the crossfire. “At midnight, a strange movement was detected on the village’s edge. It turned out to be Israeli commandos,” said a local official. “The resistance surrounded them, and heavy fighting followed. Then the air force intensified strikes to extract their unit, causing severe damage.”
Impact of the Attack: Destruction and Displacement
Hezbollah permitted journalists to document the aftermath, revealing a scene of devastation. Bullet-riddled vehicles and bloodstained furniture lay scattered, while signs of daily life—such as a children’s coloring book and cooking utensils—were buried in rubble. Witnesses claimed Israeli troops arrived in Lebanese military uniforms, using ambulances marked with Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Organization insignia. The Lebanese army chief later validated this account, though the IDF has not responded to BBC inquiries.
Residents described a prior evacuation order, believing their homes were safe since they were not linked to Hezbollah. “My uncle, a retired soldier, and his family were here. We are Shia, and we support Hezbollah, but we are not affiliated with it,” said Mohamed Chokr, whose relatives were among the casualties. “How should I feel now? This is my uncle and his children.”
Another villager added that a relative, arriving in a bulldozer to rescue trapped family members, was also killed. “They bombed everything. This is crazy,” said Ali Shakur, a local survivor. “I think they were surprised by who was still here, as they assumed everyone had left.”
Hezbollah, designated a terrorist group by the UK, US, and others, remains the dominant force in the region. The Lebanese military noted that four Israeli aircraft appeared near the Syria border late Friday, with two landing to deploy forces. Flare bombs were used to identify the landing site, prompting immediate defensive actions. The operation, which spanned the village, left many questioning the scale of civilian casualties amid the chaos.
