The operations occurred amid ongoing battles between Hezbollah fighters and Israeli occupation forces across multiple fronts near the Lebanese-Palestinian border.
The attacks were focused on the al-Labbouneh area, a rugged zone near the Mediterranean coast, which has been a strategic point for Israeli armored incursions into Lebanon. Hezbollah’s anti-armor units launched anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) at two Israeli Merkava tanks positioned on al-Labbouneh Hill, setting both tanks ablaze and killing or injuring their crew members.
The first attack took place at 12:50 am local time when a Hezbollah ATGM struck a tank, resulting in a direct hit that ignited the vehicle. Reports from South Lebanon confirmed that Israeli military vehicles in the vicinity caught fire, and Israeli rescue teams were unable to reach the casualties.
At 2:00 am, Hezbollah forces launched another ATGM strike, destroying a second Merkava tank stationed on the same hill. Similar to the earlier attack, the tank was engulfed in flames, with fatalities reported among the crew.
In addition to anti-tank strikes, Hezbollah fighters engaged Israeli infantry in close-range combat while also launching rocket attacks targeting Israeli positions, settlements, and military sites. One of the rocket barrages hit the settlement of Kiryat Shmona, near the Lebanese-Palestinian border, where multiple impacts were recorded.
Israeli media reported that authorities in Kiryat Shmona are planning to evacuate residents who had not yet complied with previous evacuation orders. Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to defend against Israeli ground incursions and respond to Israeli attacks, all while supporting the Palestinian cause.
The border area has seen increasing hostilities in recent weeks, as Hezbollah faces a series of Israeli strikes and military actions. Despite the escalation, Hezbollah has quickly recovered its operational capabilities and remains actively engaged in defending Lebanon’s southern border. (ILKHA)