Israel-Hezbollah clash: Helicopter infiltration sparks fighting on Lebanon-Syria border

Beirut: Fighters from the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah clashed with Israeli troops after four Israeli military helicopters reportedly infiltrated the Lebanon-Syria border area, triggering a gun battle in eastern Lebanon, according to Lebanese media and Hezbollah statements.

The incident marks a significant escalation along the border amid the widening regional conflict involving Israel, Iran, and their allies.

Hezbollah said in a statement that its fighters “observed the infiltration of four Israeli enemy army helicopters from the Syrian direction.”

Also read | Iranian Ship IRIS Lavan docks in Kochi; 183 crew taken to naval facilities

The helicopters allegedly landed near Nabi Sheet in the Baalbek District, an area where Hezbollah maintains a strong presence along the Lebanon–Syria border.

According to the group, Israeli troops advancing after the landing were quickly confronted by Hezbollah fighters.

Hezbollah said its fighters engaged the Israeli force after the troops reached the Nabi Sheet cemetery, using light and medium weapons.

“The clash escalated after the enemy force was exposed,” Hezbollah said, adding that Israeli forces responded with intense strikes before beginning to withdraw from the area.

In a separate statement, the group said it fired rockets at Israeli troops as they pulled back.

Also read | ‘There will be no deal with Iran except unconditional surrender’: Trump

Lebanese media reports attempted Israeli landing

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that “clashes are taking place on the eastern mountain range along the Lebanese-Syrian border... to repel Israeli landing attempts.”

However, the Israel Defence Forces has not immediately commented on the reported operation.

If confirmed, the helicopter raid would represent one of the deepest Israeli military incursions inside Lebanon in recent years.

The last similar operation occurred in Batroun in November 2024, when Israeli special forces captured Hezbollah operative Imad Amhaz.

Israeli air strikes hit Baalbek area

The reported helicopter infiltration came after intense Israeli air strikes on eastern Lebanon.

According to the National News Agency, the Nabi Sheet area was targeted by at least 13 Israeli air strikes on Friday.

Lebanon’s health ministry said the attacks killed at least nine people.

Israel has launched multiple air strikes and deployed ground forces in Lebanon since Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel earlier this week, saying the attack was carried out to avenge the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Videos circulating on social media showed waves of gunfire lighting up the night sky in the border region, though the authenticity of the footage could not be independently verified.

The clashes highlight the growing risk of a wider regional war spreading across Lebanon, Syria, and Israel as tensions linked to the Iran–Israel conflict continue to escalate.