Israeli Army Suffers Major Setback in Lebanon: Read on for Details
Israeli Troops Face Ambush in Lebanon as Hezbollah Attacks Israeli Helicopter
Israeli occupation troops faced a surprise attack when they entered Lebanon by land, with Hezbollah announcing that it fired surface-to-air missiles at an Israeli helicopter flying over Beit Hilel. This missile attack by Hezbollah marked the first time they targeted an Israeli helicopter, causing the Israeli troops to withdraw.
Details of Hezbollah’s ambush against Israel are starting to emerge, with eight soldiers killed on the second day of the invasion in Lebanon. Al Meyadin television, known for its proximity to Hezbollah, reported that the movements of Israeli occupation troops trying to infiltrate Lebanon from Al Adise were monitored in advance.
According to reports, members of Israel’s elite commando unit, Egoz, crossed the border and entered a house before being attacked by Hezbollah members with machine guns, small arms, and rocket-propelled grenades. The fighting continued at close range, with Hezbollah hitting supply lines such as Misgav Am and Kfar Gladi with missiles to prevent support for the Israeli troops.
Israeli media reported that Hezbollah attacked with mortars during the evacuation of wounded soldiers, resulting in more casualties among the Israeli soldiers. The Israeli army responded by heavily bombing Lebanon from south to north with warplanes and armed unmanned aerial vehicles for eight consecutive days before initiating the ground attack on October 1.
During the land invasion, the Israeli army lost three tanks in clashes with Lebanese group Hezbollah. Hezbollah announced that they shot down the tanks with guided missiles in Marun er Ras, where the clashes occurred.
Al Jazeera correspondent Nur Odeh reported that the Israeli army suffered heavy losses, with eight soldiers killed and dozens injured in clashes at three different points. Odeh noted that the Israeli army, which had to retreat during the 34-day war in 2006, was not expecting such a heavy battle on the northern front.
Reporting from the town of Hasbaya in southern Lebanon, Al Jazeera reporter Imran Khan stated that Israel’s ground attack has been halted for now. Khan highlighted that Israel is utilizing its air superiority with intense bombardment since Hezbollah does not possess anti-aircraft weapons.
