Hezbollah claims heavy Israeli losses: 70 soldiers, 28 tanks, drones downed

The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, Hezbollah’s operations room, issued a report yesterday highlighting significant losses inflicted on Israeli occupation forces by Hezbollah’s missile and air defence units in the south of the country.

According to Al-Mayadeen, citing the resistance movement, Israeli forces have suffered more than 70 dead and 600 injured in the clashes, with significant equipment losses, including 28 Merkava tanks, four bulldozers, an armoured vehicle and a troop carrier.

Additionally, three Hermes 450 drones and one Hermes 900 drone were reportedly downed. The report did not specify the timeframe for these casualties. Israel has reported around 50 fatalities, including 20 soldiers lost inside Lebanon since ground operations began earlier this month.

Since the start of the ground invasion of South Lebanon: pic.twitter.com/8P8tX9NNBe

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Hezbollah claimed the Israeli military has failed to fully occupy any village along the frontlines, from Naqoura to Marwahin. Despite attempts to infiltrate southern neighbourhoods and plant explosives, Hezbollah fighters targeted advancing Israeli forces at Ras Naqoura, Hanita and the outskirts of Dhayra.

The second axis of confrontation, from Ramiyah to Rmeish, saw Israeli forces trying to capture Abu Labban heights, east of Aita Al-Shaab. Hezbollah reported heavy losses among Israeli troops in this area after fierce fighting last week.

Despite intense bombing of targets across Lebanon by Israel and major set-backs including the loss of Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and his presumed successor Hashem Safieddine, Israeli forces remain unable to fully control the contested areas in the south, reminiscent of key battles during the 2006 war.

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