Beirut, Lebanon – Web Desk: The Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah said its fighters clashed with Israeli troops near the Lebanon–Syria border on Saturday, as tensions continued to escalate in the widening Middle East conflict.
According to National News Agency, clashes erupted when Israel Defense Forces attempted a landing operation along the eastern mountain range between Lebanon and Syria.
The agency reported that fighting was taking place near the town of Nabi Sheet, located in the eastern Baalbek District, an area known as a Hezbollah stronghold.
In a statement, Hezbollah said its fighters had observed four Israeli military helicopters entering Lebanese airspace from the Syrian direction before attempting to land near the town.
The group said its fighters engaged Israeli troops with light and medium weapons as they advanced toward a cemetery in Nabi Sheet. Hezbollah claimed the confrontation intensified after the Israeli forces were detected.
“The clash escalated after the enemy force was exposed,” the group said, adding that Israeli troops responded with heavy strikes before beginning a withdrawal from the area.
Hezbollah also said its fighters fired rockets at the withdrawing Israeli forces.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military regarding the reported clash.
The incident follows a series of Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon after Hezbollah launched missile attacks on Israel earlier this week in retaliation for the assassination of Ali Khamenei.
Lebanese state media reported that Nabi Sheet was targeted by at least 13 Israeli airstrikes on Friday. According to Lebanon’s health ministry, at least nine people were killed in the attacks.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show intense gunfire and explosions in the area, although the footage could not be independently verified.
The latest confrontation underscores the growing risk of a broader regional conflict involving Israel, Hezbollah, and Iran amid escalating hostilities across the Middle East.
