IDF division says it killed 200 Hezbollah members, demolished tunnels and weapons in week of ground op

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Troops of the 98th Division operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued on October 8, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)
Troops of the 98th Division operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued on October 8, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

The IDF’s 98th Division summarizes a week of operations in southern Lebanon, reporting that its troops have killed over 200 Hezbollah operatives in several villages adjacent to the Israeli border.

The elite formation of paratrooper and commando units, joined by the 7th Armored Brigade and elite Yahalom combat engineering unit, were the first Israeli forces to enter Lebanon when the official ground operations began on September 30.

The IDF says the division has demolished several tunnels and located hundreds of weapons in villages close to the border, which were intended to have been used by Hezbollah to attack northern Israel.

More than 100 tons of explosives have been used by the division to demolish Hezbollah sites above and below ground, according to military sources.

Troops of the 98th Division operate in southern Lebanon, in a handout photo issued on October 8, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

The division, which previously battled Hamas in Gaza for months, says Hezbollah is a different enemy from Hamas, but not necessarily stronger.

The division has found Hezbollah to be a far more organized fighting force than Hamas, but largely operating above ground and not in tunnels like the terror group in Gaza. Hezbollah also has more advanced weapons and better fortifications, the division has identified.

Still, the division says it has the upper hand and has been successful with its operations.

Last week, six members of the Egoz Commando Unit were killed during a fierce battle with Hezbollah operatives, and another three paratroopers were killed in separate incidents that same day.

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