Dozens killed as Israeli special forces raid Lebanese village in search of 40-year-old remains

Dozens killed as Israeli special forces raid Lebanese village in search of 40-year-old remains

Lebanon witnessed additional fatalities following major Israeli air and ground operations, as the conflict with Hezbollah, supported by Iran, intensifies. A raid in the eastern Bekaa Valley town of Nabi Chit resulted in at least 41 deaths and 40 injuries, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Among the victims were three military personnel and civilians, including children, as reported by locals. The operation aimed to locate the remains of an Israeli airman who vanished in the region four decades ago.

Debris and devastation mark the aftermath

Scenes of destruction lingered in Nabi Chit, with bullet holes littering a wrecked vehicle and bloodstains on its seats. Nearby, buildings lay in ruins, and a massive crater disrupted the village landscape, damaging surrounding homes. Remnants of civilian life—such as a children’s coloring book, artwork, and kitchen tools—were found among the wreckage.

“They thought he was there but there was nothing,” a local man said, pointing to an empty grave in the village cemetery.

Hezbollah permitted journalists to document the extent of the damage, though the group is designated a terrorist organization by the UK, US, and other nations. The Lebanese military noted that four Israeli aircraft approached the border with Syria late Friday, with two landing to deploy special forces. Aerial bombardments followed, prompting immediate defense actions by local troops using flare bombs to pinpoint the landing zone.

Disguise and crossfire

Witnesses claimed Israeli soldiers arrived in Lebanese military uniforms and utilized ambulances bearing Hezbollah’s Islamic Health Organization insignia. The army chief later verified this to local media, but the Israel Defense Forces did not comment on the allegations. Evacuation orders had already been issued for the village, with a final call for civilians to leave their homes just before the assault began.

“My uncle is a retired soldier, his son also served in the military, and his other son is a school teacher. We are not affiliated with any political group,” said Mohamed Chokr, whose family was among those impacted. “How should I feel today? This is my uncle and his kids and their kids.”

Chokr recounted how his uncle and relatives were killed during the crossfire, even as they tried to protect their homes. Another relative, arriving in a bulldozer to rescue family members, also fell victim to the fighting. Locals who remained in the village or returned after the operation gathered around the crater on Saturday to evaluate the damage. “They bombed everything. This is crazy,” said Ali Shakur, who noted the unexpected nature of the strikes. “I think they were surprised by who was here because when they bombed, they thought everyone had evacuated.”

Residents expressed shock at the indiscriminate attacks, highlighting the chaos that unfolded despite their efforts to stay safe. The Israeli military has yet to respond to BBC inquiries regarding the claims and the broader context of the raid.