The state-run National News Agency (NNA), citing the Lebanese health ministry, said Israeli strikes on Nabi Sheet killed at least three people and wounded 16 others.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has carried out numerous strikes and deployed ground troops into Lebanon since the Iran-backed group Hezbollah fired missiles at Israel on Monday in retaliation for the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.
If confirmed, the reported raid would mark the deepest Israeli operation inside Lebanon since special unit troops captured Hezbollah operative Imad Amhaz in the northern city of Batroun in November 2024.
According to the NNA, “clashes are taking place on the eastern mountain range along the Lebanese-Syrian border… to repel Israeli landing attempts,” as quoted by AFP.
The agency said the fighting occurred in Nabi Sheet in the eastern Baalbek district, an area where Hezbollah holds significant influence.
Hezbollah said in a statement that its fighters had “observed the infiltration of four Israeli enemy army helicopters from the Syrian direction”.
After landing, advancing troops “were engaged by a group” of Hezbollah fighters when they reached the Nabi Sheet cemetery, the group said, adding that light and medium weapons were used in the clash.
“The clash escalated after the enemy force was exposed,” Hezbollah added, saying Israeli troops launched heavy strikes before beginning an evacuation.
