Clashes reported in east Lebanon as Israeli forces land in area of recent failed mission to return Ron Arad

More clashes allegedly break out in eastern Lebanon as Israeli forces land by helicopter on the Lebanese-Syrian border, in the area where they conducted their recent failed mission to recover the remains of airman Ron Arad, who has been missing since the 1980s.

“Fierce clashes are taking place… towards the outskirts of the town of Nabi Chit to repel Israeli forces that carried out a landing by helicopters on the heights of the eastern mountain range towards the Lebanese-Syrian border and are trying to advance,” Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reports.

Two Hezbollah sources claim to AFP on condition of anonymity that an Israeli helicopter in the area was downed by the group, though the terror group has made countless exaggerated claims in the past. Hebrew media reports say the claim is baseless.

In a subsequent official statement, the Iran-backed group says it detected “the infiltration of approximately 15 Israeli enemy helicopters” from the Syrian side of the border in eastern Lebanon.

The group says its fighters “engaged the helicopters and the infiltrating force with appropriate weapons, and the confrontation” is ongoing.