Hezbollah: 55 Israeli soldiers killed, 500 injured in southern Lebanon clashes

In a statement, Hezbollah declared it had transitioned to a new, intensified phase in its confrontation with Israel, with further details to unfold in the coming days.

The group claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on Israeli occupation forces attempting to invade southern Lebanon. Hezbollah reported that its fighters had conducted successful operations along the frontlines, targeting Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) positions within southern Lebanon and deep into Israeli-occupied territory.

Since the onset of hostilities along the Lebanese-Palestinian border, Israel has deployed five military divisions, amounting to over 70,000 soldiers and officers, supported by tanks and military vehicles. In response, Hezbollah mobilized hundreds of fighters, prepared to repel Israeli advances on several villages, including Odeisseh, Rmeish, Blida, Markaba, and Ayita al-Shaab. These villages have faced heavy bombardment from Israeli air and artillery forces.

Hezbollah reported that intense close-range confrontations took place, particularly in al-Qawzah and Rmeish, where the group claims to have inflicted heavy casualties on Israeli forces. According to Hezbollah, 10 Israeli soldiers were killed, over 150 were injured, and several Israeli military vehicles, including 9 Merkava tanks and 4 bulldozers, were destroyed.

The resistance group also announced it had successfully lured Israeli forces into ambushes in some of the border villages, leading to heavy casualties for the IDF.

In its statement, Hezbollah noted that its rocket force has been increasingly targeting Israeli military posts and settlements along the border and deeper into northern Israel. Precision-guided missiles, used for the first time, have intensified the confrontation.

Hezbollah also highlighted its use of drone strikes on Israeli positions and ongoing reconnaissance missions. The group's air defense unit claimed to have repelled Israeli reconnaissance and combat aircraft, successfully downing two Israeli Hermes 450 drones.

According to Hezbollah’s assessment, Israeli forces have suffered approximately 55 deaths and over 500 injuries since the start of the conflict, with significant losses in military equipment, including the destruction of 20 Merkava tanks, 4 bulldozers, an armored vehicle, and an armored personnel carrier. Additional losses at Israeli military bases within Israeli-occupied territory were also reported.

The confrontation continues to escalate, with Hezbollah vowing to persist in its operations against Israeli occupation forces in the coming days. (ILKHA)