IDF says Ron Arad’s body not found during rare airborne raid in east Lebanon

The Israeli military confirms that special forces of the Israeli Air Force carried out a raid in eastern Lebanon overnight in an attempt to locate the remains of IAF navigator Ron Arad, who disappeared when he bailed from his plane over Lebanon in 1986.

However, no findings relating to Arad were discovered during the operation in Nabi Chit, according to the IDF. Still, the military says it can now rule out one of the possibilities of where Arad’s remains may be.

Arad’s family was updated on the developments.

The IDF says the operation was carried out following an “operational opportunity” that arose following an evacuation order issued in Nabi Chit yesterday, and other intelligence amid the ongoing fighting with Hezbollah.

The military says it would “continue to operate tirelessly, day and night, out of a deep commitment to bringing all our sons, the fallen and the missing, back home to Israel.” Three soldiers are considered missing by the IDF — Arad, Guy Hever and Yehuda Katz.

There were no casualties to Israeli forces during the raid, and the IDF says that no fire was directed at troops, contrary to claims made by Hezbollah.

Troops operated in Nabi Chit while heavy airstrikes were carried out to isolate the area, the IDF says, adding that anyone who approached the forces was hit.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that 16 people were killed and 35 others were wounded by the Israeli strikes.