Overnight Friday into Saturday, the Israeli army launched a ground and air incursion into the town of Nabi Chit, in an attempt to rescue the remains of Israeli Air Force navigator Ron Arad — leading to severe clashes with Hezbollah that killed more than 40 people.
Ron Arad was captured in Lebanon after his military plane was shot down during an air raid in 1986. He likely died in captivity in the 1990s and his remains were suspected to be buried in the cemetery of Nabi Chit. However, his body was not found by the Israeli army. “The operation last night did not yield the findings we were looking for,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday.
Two men are looking at the destruction in the town of Nabi Chit. Photo: Laura Hülsemann.
After the Israeli troops were discovered, severe clashes broke out between them and Hezbollah. The town, located in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa region, suffered severe destruction amid the clashes. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, 41 people died — three of them were soldiers in the Lebanese army. Another 40 people were wounded.
The clashes are the most deadly since the war started about a week ago. Amid the funeral for the people killed in the attack on Sunday, Israel allegedly launched two more attacks on the outskirts of the town of Nabi Chit.
Since late February, Israel and the U.S. have been at war with Iran. After Israeli airstrikes killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel — plunging Lebanon into the war.
A man calls someone as he stands in the destroyed Rida restaurant. Photo: Laura Hülsemann.
A destroyed bedroom in the town of Nabi Chit. Photo: Laura Hülsemann.
Two destroyed cars in the middle of the debris. Photo: Laura Hülsemann.
A woman gives an interview on the rooftop of a damaged building. Photo: Laura Hülsemann.
partially destroyed living room. Photo: Laura Hülsemann.
A man cleans his shop after rockets hit the surrounding area. Photo: Laura Hülsemann.
A man collects bullets left behind after the clashes. Photo: Laura Hülsemann.
An old man looks at what is left of the town. Photo: Laura Hülsemann.
The crater left by an Israeli bomb, as seen from a neighboring rooftop. Photo: Laura Hülsemann.
A man stands before the crater in Nabi Chit. Photo: Laura Hülsemann.
