At Least Four Israeli Soldiers Eliminated in Southern Lebanon

Featured image: Israeli tank incursion from the border with Lebanon. Source: AFP.

The Israeli army acknowledged on Tuesday the death of four of its soldiers, including an officer with the rank of captain, and the wounding of three others, one critically, during battles in southern Lebanon. An ambush took place shortly after that Netanyahu instructed Israeli troops to further expand the invasion of southern Lebanon.

An Israeli patrol started the incursion in southern Lebanon and were forced to flee. While retreating, Hezbollah launched an anti-tank missile strike on the force, eliminating four soldiers and injuring three others.

The State of Israel acknowledges at least ten soldiers eliminated since the beginning of the operations, but several reports point out that the number might be higher. Some media, such as Al Mayadeen, indicated that Rambam Hospital in Haifa has received more than 50 wounded soldiers, while other facilities have not acknowledged any number.

Hezbollah has also released footage showing operations against Merkava tanks, three of them being destroyed:

These clashes take place as part of the escalation on the front of southern Lebanon, where the State of Israel has opened a new front in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, targeting roads that they claim are linked to the Lebanese resistance. Israel’s defense minister outlined plans on Tuesday to occupy much of southern Lebanon. Israel Katz, spoke in very explicit terms about plans for an occupation. He said Israeli forces would maintain control over “the entire area” from the border to the Litani River — a stretch of territory that is 20 miles from Israel at its deepest point — after the offensive had concluded.