The Saudi al-Hadath channel, without citing any sources, claims that the overnight Israeli operation in eastern Lebanon was an attempt to recover the body of missing Israeli Air Force navigator Ron Arad, who disappeared when he bailed from his plane over Lebanon in 1986.
Israeli troops reportedly attempted a helicopter landing operation in the Hezbollah stronghold, leading to clashes, according to Lebanese media and the terror group. Hezbollah claimed four Israeli helicopters arrived from the direction of Syria, and the troops who landed in Nabi Chit were engaged by its operatives.
The Israeli forces withdrew under heavy airstrikes, Hezbollah claimed. The IDF has not commented.
Israel has reportedly conducted searches in Nabi Chit in the past for Arad’s remains, as he was allegedly held in the area following his disappearance.
In December, a retired Lebanese security officer from Nabi Chit, with ties to the capture of Arad, disappeared, according to Lebanese authorities.
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