Nabi Chit, Lebanon – At least 41 people, including three Lebanese soldiers, were killed and 40 wounded in Israeli air and ground raids on the Lebanese town of Nabi Chit in the eastern Bekaa Valley overnight, according to Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health. The operation, which began late Friday night, was reportedly aimed at locating the remains of Ron Arad, an Israeli pilot who went missing in Lebanon in 1986.
The incursion marks a significant escalation in cross-border hostilities, extending Israeli military action further north than previous engagements since Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel on Monday in response to the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The operation underscores Israel’s decades-long commitment to recovering Arad, even as the chances of finding remains after so long diminish. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and raised concerns about further regional instability.
Israeli Commando Raid and Subsequent Airstrikes
According to the Lebanese army, two Israeli helicopters landed near Nabi Chit and Khraibeh along the Syrian-Lebanese border at approximately 10 p.m. On Friday. Israeli soldiers then headed to a cemetery in Nabi Chit, where they began excavating a grave believed to contain Arad’s remains. The Lebanese army detected the incursion and launched flares, triggering a gun battle between Israeli forces, local residents, and Hezbollah fighters.
Hezbollah confirmed its involvement, stating its fighters ambushed the Israeli soldiers outside the cemetery, supported by local residents. Following the initial clashes, Israeli jets launched at least 40 airstrikes on the town, continuing until around 3 a.m. Local time, according to the Lebanese army. Several buildings in Nabi Chit were leveled, and a main road was rendered impassable due to the strikes.
The Search for Ron Arad
Ron Arad was an Israeli Air Force navigator whose plane was shot down over southern Lebanon in 1986 while on a mission targeting PLO positions. He was captured by the Amal movement, a Shia militia, and subsequently handed over to Hezbollah. Despite numerous attempts by Israel to secure his release or locate his remains, no proof of life has been received since the late 1980s. An Israeli government commission concluded in 2004 that Arad had likely died in the mid-1990s, but the search has continued.
The operation to recover Arad’s remains comes after years of intelligence gathering and renewed efforts to resolve the decades-old case. A former officer involved in the search explained that the raid was likely based on “fresh intelligence,” adding, “There is an obligation to put an end to this tragedy.” In 2021, then-Prime Minister Naftali Bennett revealed that Israeli intelligence had abducted an Iranian general from Syria as part of its efforts to locate Arad, as reported by the Times of Israel.
Abduction and Local Resistance
The timing of the raid also coincides with the recent abduction of retired Lebanese general security officer Ahmed Shukr from Nabi Chit in December. Lebanese officials suspect Israeli intelligence was involved, believing Shukr’s brother, Hassan, may have been connected to Arad’s capture. A photograph of the dug-up grave revealed the headstone belonged to a Hussein Shukr.
Residents of the eastern Bekaa Valley, many of whom support Hezbollah, actively resisted the Israeli incursion. Videos circulating online showed intense gunfire and residents calling for reinforcements from neighboring villages. The area is known to be heavily armed, contributing to the fierce resistance encountered by Israeli forces.
Family Response and Future Implications
Ron Arad’s widow, Tami Arad, released a statement thanking those involved in the operation but expressed concern over the risk to Israeli soldiers. “For 40 years we have lived with the fact that Ron is missing,” she said, “we seek to recognize what happened to Ron, but not at any cost.” She stated a preference for accepting the possibility that her husband’s remains lie in Lebanon rather than risking further Israeli casualties.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog reiterated Israel’s commitment to bringing Arad home, stating, “Here’s the supreme covenant between a state and its soldiers, one we must uphold even after decades.” The failed operation raises questions about the future of Israel’s efforts to locate Arad and the potential for further escalation in the region. The incident underscores the complex and sensitive nature of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, and the enduring impact of past conflicts.
The situation remains volatile, and further developments are expected in the coming days. Please share your thoughts in the comments below, and consider sharing this article to keep others informed.
