The Israeli occupation army has admitted significant losses in southern Lebanon, including the death of a battalion commander and three soldiers, as Hezbollah resistance fighters continue to effectively defend Lebanese territory against repeated Israeli incursions.

According to Israeli sources, Lieutenant Colonel Dor Gadalia Ben Simhon, commander of Battalion 52 of the Givati Brigade, was killed along with three other soldiers in the Kfar Tebnit area of the Nabatieh district. This brings the total number of Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon since the April ceasefire announcement to 23.

Israeli media further reported that five additional soldiers, including an officer in serious condition, were wounded in a separate incident in the same area after a commando force was struck by a booby-trapped drone. Israeli helicopters were forced to evacuate the wounded under difficult conditions.

In a separate development, Israeli occupation forces suffered a humiliating setback while attempting to seize the strategic Ali al-Taher heights overlooking the Nabatieh district. Hezbollah fighters successfully ambushed the advancing Israeli armored and infantry units, inflicting heavy losses.

Hezbollah stated that its fighters monitored the Israeli force, lured it into a pre-prepared kill zone, and launched a coordinated attack using various weapons systems. The resistance reported striking three Merkava tanks along with other military vehicles and troop concentrations. Israeli media acknowledged the intensity of the fighting, describing it as one of the most difficult operations they have faced recently. Commentators warned that the situation in southern Lebanon has become “very dangerous” for occupation soldiers, with multiple tanks reportedly hit and wounded troops evacuated from Lebanese soil.

Despite these losses, Israeli warplanes continued their aggressive airstrikes on Friday, targeting several Lebanese towns and villages including Harouf, Kfar Sir, al-Sharqiyeh, Habboush, Toul, Dweir, and al-Jabour.These provocations represent clear violations of the ceasefire and undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts, including the recent US-Iran memorandum aimed at ending hostilities across the region, including in Lebanon.

Hezbollah reaffirmed that the Kfar Tebnit–Ali al-Taher axis will remain closed to Israeli incursions, stressing that its operations are a legitimate response to repeated Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty.

The Lebanese resistance has once again demonstrated its strength and determination to protect the south of the country from occupation, delivering painful and costly blows to invading Israeli forces. (ILKHA)