Shafaq News- Beirut (Updated at 13:55)

At least 26 people were killed after clashes erupted following an Israeli airborne operation in the eastern Lebanese town of Nabi Sheet, the state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported on Saturday.

According to the agency, Israeli commandos deployed overnight in mountainous terrain between Al-Khreibeh, Maareboun, and Yahfoufa along the eastern Lebanon range. Four Apache helicopters inserted the unit before it moved toward the Shukr family cemetery on the eastern edge of Nabi Sheet. Hezbollah fighters and local residents detected the force, triggering exchanges of light and medium weapons fire.

Israeli aircraft and helicopters later carried out around 40 airstrikes in and around the town, the agency said, noting that the bombardment sought to block reinforcements and provide cover for the unit’s withdrawal, striking neighborhoods, streets, and public squares and causing extensive destruction.

Local sources indicated the fatalities included three Lebanese Army soldiers, one General Security member, and at least 15 residents of Nabi Sheet. Additional deaths occurred in nearby areas, including nine in Al-Khreibeh, one in Sereen, and one in Ali Al-Nahri.

Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee later wrote on X that special forces conducted the overnight mission in eastern Lebanon while searching for evidence linked to missing Israeli air navigator Ron Arad. He reported no casualties among the army’s personnel and said that the site search produced no information related to the case.

Ron Arad was an Israeli Air Force navigator who went missing in October 1986 after ejecting from a damaged aircraft over western Lebanon. He was captured by the Shiite Amal movement, and Israel later received letters and photographs confirming he was alive until 1988. His ultimate fate remains unknown, and Israel officially classifies him as missing in action.